Dale Earnhardt Jr. breaks silence on uncertainty over Denny Hamlin’s JGR contract extension
Denny Hamlin has been with Joe Gibbs Racing for 18 years, since 2005.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin (Credits: Dale Jr.Download and Autoweek)
Denny Hamlin’s contract situation with Joe Gibbs Racing has been the talk of the town. His current partnership with the team will expire at the end of the 2023 season, and there is no firm news about extending the contract. Hamlin has been an integral part of JGR for 18 years and played a crucial role in the team. Dale Earnhardt Jr. discussed the uncertainty over Hamlin’s contract extension in the latest episode of his podcast.
Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis exchanged views on why Denny Hamlin hasn’t signed his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing yet on the Dale Jr. Download podcast. The two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion confessed that he recently started noticing the media question Denny Hamlin about his contract talks. Earnhardt Jr. also stated that Hamlin had to explain himself to the media and felt everyone was saying the right things. He referred to the fact that Hamlin said he wanted to retire with JGR.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. stated, “Everybody’s like saying all the right things, ‘Hey, I want to retire here, you know.’ Joe Gibbs Racing saying, ‘Denny’s definitely going to be racing here next year.’ And that sounds great and more and more than likely, hey, that’s what happens, but I’m just damn curious as to what’s your what’s the hold-up.” Earnhardt Jr. revealed that he would be happy for Hamlin if he were to stay at JGR. However, he raised a question of why the delay.
Dale Jr.’s co-host Mike Davis claims sponsorship could be a reason behind Denny Hamlin’s contract delay
Mike Davis, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s co-host, revealed that sponsorships could be a reason for Hamlin’s contract delay. He said, “My theory is usually when these things are delayed, or usually these things move at the speed of the sponsorships and all that stuff. Not to say that they’re looking for money. I’m not insinuating that.” Denny Hamlin’s partnership with Fed-Ex, his primary sponsor, also remains uncertain. Davis believes this could be the reason behind the hold-up.
Davis added, “It’s interesting if that’s the case that would have been the same scenarios that uh Kyle Busch was in. They lacked the funding right, or they had the sponsorship stuff hold up, and that did not end well that had Kyle Busch go into another race team, so would Denny leave JGR?” Kyle Busch’s primary sponsors, M&M/Mars, left him and JGR at the end of the 2022 season. Hence, Busch had to move to Richard Childress Racing for 2023.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis claim that there would be a possibility of Hamlin moving to his Cup team, 23XI Racing. However, it was merely a discussion. The NASCAR world is awaiting Denny Hamlin’s contract renewal or any news regarding his Cup career next season.
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Sugantha Meena
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