Denny Hamlin Exposes the “Deciding Factor” That Could Force Him to Retire

The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has shared his thoughts on how long he is going to race in NASCAR before retirement.

Denny Hamlin Exposes the “Deciding Factor” That Could Force Him to Retire

Denny Hamlin (Via @JoeGibbsRacing/X)

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Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has signed a multi-year contract extension with the Toyota giants, and the 44-year-old is determined to expand his legacy as the most accomplished driver in the team’s history. The extension has also stirred more conversations about how many more years are left in the No:11 driver before retirement.

Ahead of this weekend’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Denny Hamlin was asked about his retirement plans after the new contract signing. He admitted that this might most probably be his last extension and pointed out that he signed the new deal to make sure Joe Gibbs has enough time to plan the future the No:11 once he moves on to the next chapter of his career.

I would say probably, most likely. Who knows, but most likely…For me, it’s all I feel comfortable with. Three years? Who knows what can happen three years from now, so I just want to make sure that I get them (Joe Gibbs Racing) proper time and make sure I commit to them for not one year, but multiple years.

Denny Hamlin said via Motorsports.com.

But all these won’t be the major deciding factors, as he wants to end his career as a competitive racer till the last race of his career. He doesn’t want to be one of the drivers who overstayed their welcome and retired after underachieving for years. The reigning Cup champion, Joey Logano, also recently made the same point about his potential retirement.

All those things are just big factors in it, but I just I want the ability to know I can win my last race. That’s going to be the deciding factor. I’m not going to wait until I start to head downward and then retire. I don’t want to go through a whole year.

Denny Hamlin asserted.

Denny Hamlin wants to win more crown jewel races

In the same conversation, the JGR driver was asked about what his biggest goals he has set for himself with the new signing. He wants to win more crown jewel races, adding to the eight wins he already has. He can start the journey to secure those wins by producing a challenging run at IMS.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP)

Just more crown jewels. I don’t know exactly how many I have now. Seven? So, if I can get (to) eight or nine, I don’t know if that changes much, but it certainly makes me feel a little better.

Denny Hamlin said.

Indy is one huge crown jewel race that Denny Hamlin has been desperately looking for since the start of his career. The best finish he has had at Indy was P3 in 2018, which too in the road course event. Hence, he wants to secure that special win in the Oval and expand his legacy.

You have to have goals, and those crown jewels will be one that you know we go to races like this (Brickyard 400), they’re going to talk about ones that people that have won here at this race track and won crown jewel events. I want to be high on the crown jewel list of winners.

Denny Hamlin added.

The comments from Hamlin show he has superior confidence in himself and has a proper plan for retirement. It would be interesting to see how many more years are left in the veteran and if he would move on from the sport as a champion.

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