Denny Hamlin has now come out to reveal the reasons that he would be forced into retirement. However, while listing the same, the veteran was quick to add that if his form continues as it is now, retirement would be an extremely difficult decision.

The comments come as Hamlin is enjoying one of the strongest stretches of his career, having recently earned back-to-back NASCAR Cup Series victories at Nashville and Michigan.

Reflecting on whether, despite such form, he would consider retirement, during the post-race press conference Hamlin said,

“You know, I, I always say there are like three things that happen. You got your, your lose your eyesight, then you lose, you know, in no particular order, then it’s your eyesight, your reaction, and then your body hurts.”

The lived realities of a racer were also made apparent by Hamlin, who jokingly stated, “I’ve already got the body hurts part of it, right? And so it’s just the other two things have remained really sharp.”

The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran made a record at Michigan, where he set the largest victory margin not only of his Cup Series career, but also at the circuit since 1991, at 11.109 seconds.

However, as he reflected on his future, Hamlin said, “that’s a big if, like, I’m at this point and this fast at this point next year, it’d be a tough, tough decision. That’s not saying that I would, but it would be a tough decision because, again, I’m planning for the downfall that I know will come.”

Hamlin added another angle in his conference that would influence his decision whether to retire or not. Let’s find out what this consequential factor is. 

For Hamlin Family Time Is Becoming Increasingly Important

Hamlin stressed the role of thinking about his family in retiring. “So I’m content. Like if I quit tomorrow, I swear I will feel no more gratified than if I go out there and I win 72 races before. It makes no difference,”

he said before adding, “I might as well just enjoy life while I’m still somewhat young and, be able to be there a little bit more for the kids and what they’re doing.”

Hamlin and his fiancée Jordan Fish got engaged in 2024 and now have three children: two daughters, Taylor and Molly, and a son, Jameson Hamlin, born in 2025.

How much family means to the driver was apparent last year as he was ready to miss the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race at Mexico City (Viva Mexico 250) because it coincided with the birth of his son.

This was also apparent with the emotional Las Vegas victory earlier this season, where Hamlin celebrated in Victory Lane alongside Jordan and all three children, showcasing that his family is the most important thing for him.

Read more at Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Uday Jakhar

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi