Watch: Denny Hamlin Confirms He Will Retire from NASCAR in two years

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Aditya Pandya | Last updated Sep 13, 2025 2:40 AM ET

Denny Hamlin has been the winningest driver on the NASCAR grid this year after having five coveted victories to his name in 2025 alone. Hamlin has proved that age doesn’t matter, as despite being the oldest, he is scoring such positive results. Moreover, the JGR veteran’s winless championship streak could end this season as his playoff performances look promising.

However, now, the 44-year-old has made a shocking confession about his continuity in the sport. Notably, Denny Hamlin is among the longest-running drivers in NASCAR, having debuted in the Cup Series all the way back in 2005. Despite such dominant results now, the past years haven’t been easy for Hamlin as he remains championship-less even after two decades in the sport.

till, the 44-year-old has proved that age is just a number as he continues to build on his advantage in the playoffs after winning the Gateway playoff Cup race. Denny Hamlin had talked about his retirement a few months ago, but he did not provide a definitive timeline of his plans. The 44-year-old recently fathered a son and added to his family of four to make it five.

As such, Hamlin might now think about his family as well and consider exiting the sport soon. The JGR veteran finally opened up and gave a shocking timeline for his retirement, and it is sooner than people expected.

Denny Hamlin pointed out that he felt confident in himself to be dominant and score good results in NASCAR for the next two years. However, Hamlin added that he felt that his career might be over after the two years. The 44-year-old noted that he wanted to keep racing at a high level and was confident that he could race for two more years.

I feel confident that I have two years left, and that’ll be it. I just want to keep doing this at a high level, and I believe that’s a confident number in which I can still perform at this type of level.
Denny Hamlin said on Shannon Spake’s The Day After.

ICYMI: Denny Hamlin with some "tea" on retirement! @NASCAR @dennyhamlin @JoeGibbsRacing

FULL EPISODE>>> https://t.co/qk5i94wUlO pic.twitter.com/AivUD43w9n
— Shannon Spake (@ShannonSpake) September 11, 2025

Denny Hamlin reveals ‘ego problem’ behind his retirement

As compared to the other drivers, Denny Hamlin is definitely more fierce and egotistical. It is evident from his cocky victory celebrations, and rightly so. Regardless, Hamlin manages to keep a calm and cool head on the track and doesn’t really fight with other drivers. However, one thing the JGR veteran couldn’t handle well was losing and not being able to perform well.

As such, Denny Hamlin asserted that there was an ‘ego factor’ as well behind his early retirement from NASCAR. Hamlin insisted that he had too much ego and pride to continue racing in the sport and not score any positive results. Hence, he would rather call it quits early and leave the sport before the sport leaves him.

I have too much ego, too much pride to continue after I’m no longer competitive. I’d rather shut it down early, whatever the result is.
Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin has nicely molded into the villain role and is one of the more iconic personalities on the NASCAR grid. The sport definitely wouldn’t be the same without the JGR veteran. However, the pinnacle of stock racing is bound to go through massive changes, and Hamlin would likely continue to make appearances despite retiring as a full-time driver. Moreover, two years are left before discussing the situation after the 44-year-old leaves.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: