“This Could Be My Last Win!” Denny Hamlin Teases Retirement After Gateway Playoffs Victory

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin shared his thoughts on retirement after his impressive win at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.

“This Could Be My Last Win!” Denny Hamlin Teases Retirement After Gateway Playoffs Victory

Denny Hamlin wins at Gateway (Via @dennyhamlin/X)

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Joe Gibbs Racing made history on Sunday at Gateway, as they secured 200th Cup Series event win, with their most loyal racer ever Denny Hamlin on the victory lane. The No:11 Toyota Camary produced a solid race, silenced the critics and haters, by securing his 59th race win for the team, coming really close to the coveted 60 career triumphs record.

The 44-year-old veteran Denny Hamlin was pretty candid about his racing future after the triumph, considering he is closing in retirement fast, being the oldest on the garage. He was asked about the media about the same on his post-race interview at Illinois, and he admitted that there will be a huge void in his life after retirement.

One of the major reasons he is still racing in the elite division is the fact that he is competitive enough t produce results against drivers that are half his age. He finds it gratifying to win races against such rivals, it would one of the many things he is going to miss the most about NASCAR after retirement.

I mean, certainly there will be a huge, huge void. I’ll find something else to latch onto. Yeah, I mean, certainly I’m a results-based person. When I can come out here and race against guys like half my age and be able to beat ’em, like, that’s very gratifying for me. That’s what I’m going to miss. That will be the toughest part about hanging it up.

Denny Hamlin said on Gateway press conference (Via On3.com).

Furthermore, the Joe Gibbs Racing star driver admitted that it is not possible to predict how long he can stay at the elite division, considering the stage of his career he is in and declared that Gateway might turn out to be his last win. Hence, he is living in the moment, focussed on producing solid runs at the track and also pissing of his haters.

You never know when it’s your last. This could be my last win. This could be the last time i’m talking to you with my driver’s suit on after a race. We just never know. I try my best to enjoy the moment and do the best I can to rile up the fans any chance I get.

Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin is too proud to stay too long in the sport

During the same conversation, Denny Hamlin explained he doesn’t want to overstay his welcome in the sport unlike some greatest who raced past their best and was less competitive in the racer half of their career. His pride won’t let him stay past his peak years in the sport.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via @JoeGibbsRacing/X)

Just got to be a means to an end. I’m just not going to leave this sport on my deathbed, you know, just leaking oil, running in the back of the pack. I have way too much pride for that.

Denny Hamlin said.

The JGR driver admitted that he is very cocky to have such a career. The three times Daytona 500 winner has previously conformed many times that he will be racing in NASCAR as long as he knows he got a chance to win the race.

I’m way too cocky for that. There’s just no way. I want to be able to win my last race. To do that, I’m going to have to retire when I’m racing like this.

Denny Hamlin added.

The comments from Denny Hamlin shows, he has one major goal, winning Cup Series race and rewarding Joe Gibbs for the trust he showed on him. It would be interesting to how long the veteran will race in the Cup series and how many more wins left in him.

Also Read: Bubba Wallace Breaks Silence on Kyle Larson Confrontation After Gateway Wreck