Getty images

Denny Hamlin Reveals Retirement Countdown After Getaway Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Farah Ben Gamra | Last updated Sep 8, 2025 12:05 PM ET

After more than twenty years of NASCAR, Denny Hamlin continues to set the standard. He has accumulated plenty of wins, led teams, and been a constant contender for the championship, and at 44, he isn't slowing down.

As the backbone of Joe Gibbs Racing, he’s got 59 Cup Series wins, been in championship contention every year and is one of the toughest competitors in the sport. At 44 years and with over 700 Cup starts, he’s the oldest driver in the playoffs and time hasn’t slowed him down.

That was evident last weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway where Hamlin went back in time. He started on the pole, set the pace and led 75 laps including the last 25 to get his 5th win of the season and the 59th of his career.

The win was historic for his team too as it was Toyota’s 200th Cup Series win. As the crowd booed him in victory lane, Hamlin said: “You can either get on the bandwagon — or get run over by it.”

"Get on the bandwagon or you can get run over by it."- Denny Hamlin https://t.co/uVlG6m03w1 pic.twitter.com/Ic327ABo80
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 7, 2025

A Retirement Countdown That Shook NASCAR

What stirred the headlines even more was Hamlin’s unexpected candor in the post-race press conference. Answering a pointed question about whether his next two-year deal would be his last, he simply said: “Yes. That’s correct.”

He admitted he’s racing with a countdown in mind , 70 races left, including his last two Daytona 500s and remaining shots at the Brickyard 400, which he’s never won. Championships aren’t the focus , wins are for Hamlin. “Obviously, it’s well-documented that I want to get the wins, and I feel like that will carry its weight long after.”

All aboard the bandwagon pic.twitter.com/3zIGLZRxcH
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) September 8, 2025

On the emotional side, Hamlin said the toughest part of retirement will be no longer competing , “racing against guys half my age and still being able to beat ’em… that’s what I’m going to miss.”

Fans reacted in all sorts of ways. Some encouraged him to continue racing, and others seized on his tongue-in-cheek comment about staying longer if the playoff format changes , and while he was joking, there may be some truth to it.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: