Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing announce multi-year extension

“Denny is here to stay!” the team posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday. “We’re excited to announce a multi-year extension for DH to continue driving the No. 11 Toyota!”

Perhaps the news is a bit surprising due to the fact that Hamlin will be 45 years old at the start of the 2026 season, and he’s the co-owner of 23XI Racing. He’s expressed a desire to compete under their banner in the future, but after signing a multi-year extension, he might be pushing 50 by then.

On the other hand, Hamlin isn’t your normal NASCAR driver. He’s seemed to improve with age, not reaching the cliff that many drivers his age usually fall off just yet. He believes he can continue competing and winning at a high level in the future, and it’s evident JGR does, as well.

“I see my full-time career ending at Joe Gibbs Racing,” Hamlin said earlier this year, regarding how long he’ll remain the wheelman of the No. 11 via his Actions Detrimental podcast. “I don’t know whether I’ll just shut the switch off, or I’ll just do some one-offs here and there. … I want to be loyal to the person that gave me my start.

“But yes, there is a part of me that wants to drive for 23XI. Absolutely. I think without doubt, I’ll say that I’ll certainly be racing at 23XI, in at least a race, at some point in my career.”

All in all, Hamlin’s won 58 races for JGR in Cup, including three Daytona 500 victories. The one area he’s fallen short is in his chase for a championship, but some added time with the No. 11 team might help him get there, if he doesn’t achieve his goal in 2025.

Time will tell if he’s able to, but Denny Hamlin is remaining loyal to Joe Gibbs Racing now and into the future. The No. 11 Toyota team won’t be looking for a new wheelman anytime soon, it seems.