From the season opener at Daytona through his electric July run, Denny Hamlin has been firing on all cylinders in 2025. He finished a razor-thin second to Christopher Bell in Phoenix, and then unleashed dominance at Martinsville, his first win at the track in ten years, where he celebrated under an “11 against the world” banner. He added checkered flags at Darlington and Michigan in the early season, then boldly skipped the Mexico City race in June to welcome his son, ending a streak of 406 consecutive starts, and later, conquering the Monster Mile in double-overtime to secure playoff points and command respect even at age 44. However, a recent revelation has shocked the racing community.

In July, Joe Gibbs Racing announced a multi-year deal keeping Hamlin in the #11 Toyota through the 2027 season. “Joe and everyone at JGR are family to me and have done so much for me over the last 20 years,” Hamlin said in a press release. “We’ve had a solid start to this season, and we have been able to welcome some great new partners this year, so there are a lot of exciting things happening with our team, not only now, but also into the future.” This announcement underscored two decades of loyalty: Hamlin has started all 706 of his Cup races with JGR, notched 58 wins, and remains the longest-tenured driver in team history. But the real human angle emerged when Hamlin further addressed rumors about this extension.

Hamlin keeps racing to win, not just to finish.

The question of an athlete’s final act in their career is always laden with significance, particularly in a physically and mentally grueling sport like NASCAR. For Hamlin, the inquiry into his final contract extension carries the weight of an era drawing to a close. “I would say probably most likely,” Hamlin replied. “Who knows, but most likely.” Approaching his 45th birthday,  the prospect of retirement looms larger than ever, as asked by a reporter at a pre-race interview before the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hamlin acknowledged the reality with a blend of certainty and open-endedness.

“I would say it is kind of a two-fold thing,” said Hamlin. “Some of it is me motivating. Right? I have goals I would like to reach in the Cup series. I have a really strong relationship with Joe. You know, doing it for them and their family as well to keep going.” NASCAR icons like Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart retired before this age, while only a select few, such as Mark Martin or Bill Elliott, extended their careers successfully well into their late 40s or beyond, making Hamlin’s current trajectory particularly notable. But for Hamlin, the challenge of burnout is compounded by his significant commitments beyond the cockpit.

As a co-owner of 23XI Racing, he juggled the immense responsibilities of managing a multi-car team, all while maintaining his competitive edge as a driver. However, his resilience in the face of these pressures and his sustained desire to compete year after year stem from a deeply personal and multi-layered motivation. “Then obviously the ability to win week in, week out,” Hamlin said about building his motivation through consecutive wins. “That certainly is a high motivating factor in wanting to do this. Certainly, I think about it every week, would I want to do this if I didn’t have the ability or couldn’t win as much? I probably would not.”

The statement spoke volumes for a driver who has amassed over 50 Cup Series wins, placing him among the sport’s all-time greats, yet conspicuously lacking a Cup Series championship. His consistent contention in the playoffs, frequently reaching the Championship 4, underscored his ultimate elusive goal. “The motivation wouldn’t be there, but certainly as competitive as I am, I am motivated by being able to win,” Hamlin continued. He is often seen treating each season like a rookie season, dedicating himself to physical health, preparation, and mental focus as if it’s day one again. His body, particularly his back, has stabilized after years of wear, giving him the confidence to continue chasing wins into his mid-40s.

Ultimately, the trust and belief his team places in him matter more than anything else. “I appreciate Denny and everything he has meant to our organization,” Joe Gibbs said in the press release. “It is just really special when you think about everything we’ve experienced over the past 20 years, from that first moment when J.D. (Gibbs) recognized his talent at a test session, until now. It is remarkable in any sport to compete at the level Denny has for this long, and we are thrilled he has been able to spend his entire career with us.”

As the season barrels toward its climax, Hamlin is curating the legacy he wants to leave behind. Every lap now feels like a statement, not just of speed, but of purpose.

Inside Denny Hamlin’s legacy-minded rivalry

Speaking with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his Dale Jr. Download podcast, Hamlin reflected on his consistency: “I’m just goal-driven,” he said, revealing that while 60 wins was the original target, he has already set his sights higher. “If I get to 60, then I’m gonna tell you I want to get to 70.” With his 4 wins, 11 Top-10s, and 554 laps led in just 20races this year, Hamlin has proven he can still match the sport’s rising stars.

As Hamlin inches closer to legendary territory, with only Kevin Harvick at 60 and Kyle Busch at 63 standing between him and the top 10 on the all-time win list, he is focusing not just on achievement, but on impact. “I really wanna finish my career in the top ten of the winners list,” he said, knowing that every win going forward cements his name deeper into NASCAR lore. While Dale Jr. joked about him dialing that target “back to number 65,” Hamlin offered a serious rebuttal: “If you don’t have goals that are hard to achieve, is it a goal? It’s more like a want.”

Beyond legacy, Hamlin’s fire is also fueled by the competitive edge he still holds against today’s best. “As long as I can keep winning and keep guys like Kyle Larson from winning, it’ll keep them from passing me more quickly,” he admitted. In an era where parity and pressure reign supreme, Hamlin’s mindset isn’t about slowing down; it is about winning just enough to stay ahead, stay relevant, and finish on his terms.