“I’m gonna need some time on this one.” Those were Denny Hamlin’s words after the 2025 NASCAR season wrapped up, hinting towards his 2026 plans after the heartbreak at Phoenix. After the crushing disappointment of the championship loss, an early retirement didn’t feel out of the question. Plenty of fans and fellow members of the NASCAR community wondered, some anxiously, whether Denny Hamlin might pull a Carl Edwards-style exit.

Hamlin admitted that, in the immediate aftermath of Phoenix, he wanted nothing to do with racing. He needed a distance, from both the sport and from the driver’s seat. Now, chasing a reset in the postseason and with a couple of weeks behind him, the No. 11 driver is finally opening up about it.

Denny Hamlin admits to considering retirement

Only days shy of turning 45, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver took a moment on his Actions Detrimental podcast to look ahead. Hamlin revealed where his mind is focused for 2026 and admitted that had he won the title, he might have walked away on the spot. He said, “Yeah, I mean, listen, I would have begged Joe to let me quit had I won that race. I would have. I would have because it would have just been the perfect way for me to go out. But they’re not ready for that yet. They’re not, you know, that have to have time to work on my succession plan.” 

Every athlete dreams of reaching the top, winning it all, and then stepping away from the sport they adore. In NASCAR, that dream has slipped through the fingers of many. Countless drivers have hoped to secure a championship before retiring, yet only a few have come close. Jeff Gordon nearly achieved it in 2015 when his Martinsville win carried him into the Championship 4, but he ultimately finished the year third in points.

Others didn’t get anywhere near the fairytale ending. Seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, the 2017 Cup Series champion, Martin Truex Jr., and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all completed their final seasons without a single win. For Johnson and Dale Jr., that also meant missing the playoffs entirely, while Truex Jr. bowed out after being eliminated in the Round of 16.

Denny Hamlin came heartbreakingly close to pulling off the near impossible. He controlled the championship race at Phoenix, leading 208 laps and holding a comfortable three-second advantage with fewer than five laps to go. We all know the story all too well from here on. William Byron’s blown tire, the resulting crash, and the chaotic four-tire call flipped the race on its head and, with it, Hamlin’s hope of finally capturing that long-sought first title. And with that, he made it clear that he didn’t want to return to racing, but there seems to be a change of heart.

The JGR driver added, “And we obviously, we set it, we set a date out now to at least, you know, come to when that is, we know, how we know what’s the lifeline left. But I would have certainly really, really asked him a big favor to let me end on that one had it gone well.” 

And with the renewed playoffs set to shake up 2026, could Denny Hamlin finally break through? Well, only time and patience can answer that question. But for Hamlin, the changes do help him get back in the 2026 season. He said, “Very. Very. It doesn’t make me want to race right now in this moment anymore. They could say 36 races, which they’re not. Get over it, you’re going to get playoffs. But it’s still, the offseason is still so fresh, I want nothing to do with racing right now. I’ve got to get some more time.” 

And while Hamlin has made it abundantly clear that he is using the postseason to recoup, the 44-year-old driver couldn’t help but reflect on what a difficult season 2025 has been for him.

Denny Hamlin opens up about his stressful year

As his 2025 NASCAR campaign draws to a close, the veteran driver opens up about the emotional and mental strain of this season on the latest episode of his ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast. After the devastating finale at Phoenix, Hamlin admitted he feels ready for the year to end, not just how much pressure he has faced both behind the wheel and in his personal life.

Hamlin has long been known as one of the most outspoken figures in the sport. His willingness to speak bluntly, especially on his podcast, has earned him both criticism and praise. On several occasions, his candor has even resulted in penalties from NASCAR, underscoring his commitment to honesty regardless of the fallout.

Looking back on 2025, Hamlin didn’t shy away from acknowledging how overwhelming the year has been. With the demands of competing full-time, running his 23XI Racing team, his father’s health, and navigating ongoing legal issues, he admitted the season had pushed him to his limits, and he doesn’t want a refill of that.

He said, “This has been quite the year. I mean, I’m so looking forward to January 1st. Just because, I mean, obviously this year, I’m on track, off track, ownership, new baby, dad, race for championship, lawsuit. It just was, it was taxing for sure. I don’t think I could redo 2025 again. No way.”

Away from the racetrack, Hamlin has been dealing with major life changes and mounting pressure. His 23XI Racing team is currently in a legal dispute with NASCAR, with a court date scheduled for December 1. At the same time, becoming a father again brought emotional and logistical challenges to an already demanding year. And with the new year ending closer, Hamlin’s postseason is surely going to be hectic.