Despite some rumors of his retirement, NASCAR superstar Denny Hamlin has confirmed that he will be racing in the Cup Series next year. As you might imagine, that was welcome news to fellow NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr.
On the latest episode of his Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt praised Hamlin for his long history of bucking trends and going against expectations. He believes that Hamlin is one of the toughest drivers he knows and believes he can give anyone a run for the finish in 2026.
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“Denny has bucked the trend up to this point,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. “Denny is an anomaly in terms of what you traditionally see in drivers. He’s competitive, he’s focused, he’s still just as talented as ever; sharp.
“When you’re behind the wheel, it’s 130-40 degrees in the car. You’re 300 laps in, and you got to be able to make the right decision and the right move in the right moment. You got to be quick and precise. He’s still got it. In the toughest of moments behind the wheel of a racecar, Denny is as good or better than anybody.”
Hamlin is back!
Denny Hamlin is one of the most successful and consistent drivers in modern NASCAR, known for his smooth driving style, superspeedway excellence, and longevity with Joe Gibbs Racing. He entered the NASCAR Cup Series full-time in 2006 and immediately impressed, winning Rookie of the Year and finishing third in the standings. Over his career, Hamlin became a perennial championship contender, earning dozens of Cup Series victories, including multiple Daytona 500 wins, as well as triumphs at nearly every major track on the circuit. His ability to compete at a high level across short tracks, intermediates, and superspeedways solidified him as one of the most complete drivers of his era.
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MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – MARCH 30: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)Logan Riely/Getty Images
Despite his on-track success, the one gap in Hamlin’s resume has been the elusive Cup Series championship. Though he has made numerous Championship 4 appearances and several deep playoff runs, the title has repeatedly slipped away due to late-season setbacks, bad luck, or strong runs by rivals. Off the track, Hamlin further shaped the sport by co-founding 23XI Racing with NBA legend Michael Jordan in 2021, helping develop rising stars and expanding his influence beyond his driving career. Whether viewed as a fierce competitor, a team owner, or one of NASCAR’s most accomplished veterans without a championship, Hamlin remains a defining figure in 21st-century stock-car racing.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Nov 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the NASCAR section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
