Denny Hamlin on recovery from shoulder surgery: ‘No way to shortcut it’

Denny Hamlin said Wednesday he is “pointing toward” participating in the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum on Sunday, Feb. 4, less than four months removed from undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder.

Hamlin previously said on Nov. 30 he was unsure of his status for the opening exhibition race. He admitted now that he won’t be at full strength to start the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season.

“It’s something that you can’t shortcut,” Hamlin told NBC Sports during NASCAR’s Production Day at the Charlotte Convention Center. “The recovery is what it is. I knew that I was in for three months [recovery] when I got out [of surgery] and there’s just no way to shortcut it.

“Am I going to be 100 percent [at the start of the season]? No, that’s not until probably March or April that I’ll be 100 percent. But I certainly will be better to start this year than I ended last year.”

Denny Hamlin prepping for 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season

Hamlin, 43, has won all 51 of his races behind the wheel of the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing. Though he has yet to claim a Cup Series championship, he’s been as consistent a driver on the circuit over the past near two decades. Hamlin has finished in the top-10 of the points standings 15 times, finishing fifth this past season.

In preparation for the season, Hamlin said he got back into the simulator earlier this week for the first time this year.

“I’m doing everything that I can to get ready,” Hamlin said. “I’m back in the simulator, and I drive until I get fatigued and then we stop. So, we’re starting to work up my workload now to try to train and prepare for [the season].”

He added: “Although I am in the gym and I’m trying to get my strength back, until I get in a car and I’m sawing on a wheel, there’s different muscles that get activated and get fatigued. So, getting back in race shape will be different than my quest to get back in physical shape.

“I’m pointed toward running in the Clash as far as we know. … We’re going to continue to push and see how far I can go. We thought that actually the Clash might be a good opportunity to go ahead and if I’m going to get fatigued, do it then. That way I’m stronger in two weeks [at Daytona].”