Denny Hamlin would've begged to quit if he won NASCAR title

NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) during qualifying for the NASCAR Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Denny Hamlin would've begged to quit if he won 2025 NASCAR championship

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Nov 14, 2025 6:49 PM ET

In an alternate reality where he won the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship, Denny Hamlin would've retired on the spot.

That's what Hamlin, who turns 45 on Nov. 18 and is still searching for his first NASCAR title, said on the latest episode of his podcast, "Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin," on Friday.

Denny Hamlin could've went out on top

Hamlin came up just shy of the 2025 Cup Series championship, and despite comments he made after the heartbreaking defeat, he will race in 2026. Hamlin's contract with Joe Gibbs Racing runs through 2027.

"Listen, I would've begged Joe (Gibbs) to let me quit had I won that race," Hamlin said. "Because it would've been the perfect way for me to go out."

Hamlin did note that, even if he had won the title, JGR likely isn't ready to let the future Hall of Famer walk just yet.

"They're not ready for that yet," Hamlin said. "They have to have time to work on my succession plan, and we obviously set a date out now to at least come to when that is. But I would've certainly really, really asked him (Joe Gibbs) a big favor to let me end on that one had it gone well."

Hamlin will likely be back in the thick of title contention in 2026, which will be the 21st season of his career.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

More must-reads: