Denny Hamlin, whose contract with Joe Gibbs Racing expires after this season, will return to the team in 2024, a Toyota racing official said Wednesday.
The 42-year-old Hamlin has been with JGR since starting his NASCAR Cup Series career in 2005. Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson said that TRD, the team and Hamlin want to maintain that relationship.
“He will be back. There’s no question in our mind, there’s no question in Joe’s [Gibbs] mind,” Wilson said (via NASCAR.com) “We’re working through some details, and it’s a complicated consideration because now he’s not just a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, he’s also a team owner, and given that there has to be alignment for Toyota and Denny across both those considerations, just have some stuff that we’re working on, but we’ll get them sorted out.
“We still intend, I know Denny has always wanted to and intends to retire as a driver from Joe Gibbs Racing and continue as a team owner with Toyota. That’s certainly our intent, and we’re working very vigorously to make sure that, in fact, happens.”
In addition to his duties as driver, Hamlin is also a co-owner (with basketball legend Michael Jordan) of 23XI Racing, which is affiliated with Toyota.
Hamlin remains one of the top drivers in the sport, ranking third in driver points this season. The veteran collected his 50th career NASCAR Cup Series win Sunday, although he did it in controversial fashion, bumping rival Kyle Larson out of the lead at Pocono.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.