Mar 22, 2026; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; Joe Gibbs Racing Denny Hamlin (11) comes out for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
Mar 22, 2026; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; Joe Gibbs Racing Denny Hamlin (11) comes out for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
While Denny Hamlin’s recent NASCAR dominance has caught everyone's eye this season, behind closed doors, he continues to battle a shoulder injury, which now seems chronic.
Back during the 2023 season, Hamlin first tore his right shoulder and underwent surgery. However, the injury resurfaced back in December 2025 when he was going through the ruins of his parents' house that was destroyed in a fire.
On Sunday, after he won his fourth race of the 2026 Cup Series season at Pocono, Denny Hamlin was questioned by Jeff Gluck about the injury and if he would need surgery in the upcoming offseason.
"It's so interesting because it never healed from the surgery I had, you know, almost a couple of years ago now. So, it never reattached. It just re-tore right away." Hamlin replied (via Cup Scene on YouTube)
BRISTOL, TN - APRIL 12: Denny Hamlin 11 Joe Gibbs Racing National Debt Relief Toyota is being interviewed prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Food City 500 on April 12, 2026 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: APR 12 NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2604124297500
BRISTOL, TN - APRIL 12: Denny Hamlin 11 Joe Gibbs Racing National Debt Relief Toyota is being interviewed prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Food City 500 on April 12, 2026 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: APR 12 NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2604124297500
The nature of the injury has surprised Hamlin. It bothered him in the offseason, but not so much while racing this year.
"It didn’t bother me until the week after I stopped racing at Phoenix (2025 season finale). Next thing you know, I can’t sleep, I can’t lie on that side. It’s, like, really bugging me. I don’t know if it’s PT is just doing this shit every week, but it’s not bothering me a lot in the season."
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver also added how he has limited training at the gym, along with other extracurricular activities. He further said:
"If I knew I could keep it like this, I would just wait till the end of next year and get it fixed, versus ruining my off-season."
With the way the championship battle has been panning out, Hamlin missing a race at this stage could prove to be costly. Whereas if he waits for post-2027, when he is expecting to announce retirement from NASCAR, the process will be easier, and the thought of potentially ruining prep for the next season won't be on his mind.
Denny Hamlin's Stance on NASCAR Retirement
Denny Hamlin’s current contract with Joe Gibbs Racing runs through 2027. After winning Michigan on June 7, he spoke about his future in NASCAR and how he won't leave JGR in a compromised state.
In an interview with Prime Sports after winning the race, Hamlin said:
"Well, I mean, I have a commitment to (Gibbs), no matter what, whether we win (the championship) this year or not," said Hamlin. "At the end of next year — Listen, I told them, ‘Just check with me in six months.’ But I don’t want to leave them kind of in flux."
On Sunday, after the No. 11 JGR Toyota driver won at Pocono, JGR co-owner Heather Gibbs admitted that the team would love to have Denny Hamlin beyond 2027 if he can continue churning out such impressive results.
However, nothing has been set in stone by either party yet.
You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!
Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco
Edited by
Yash Kotak