UPDATE: Although Denny Hamlin’s contract with Joe Gibbs Racing is set to expire following the conclusion of the 2023 season, there are no intentions from either the No. 11 driver or Toyota Racing Development (TRD) to end the longstanding partnership.
“He will be back. There’s no question in our mind, there’s no question in Joe’s [Gibbs] mind,” TRD President David Wilson said during a virtual teleconference with the media Wednesday. “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.”
— NASCAR.com —
ORIGINAL POST 7-23-2023: Following Denny Hamlin’s win at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, team owner Joe Gibbs was asked about Denny Hamlin’s status.
Hamlin’s contract expires at the end of the season, but there have been no indications that he would leave the team.
Q. You haven’t announced anything for Denny next year. How close are you on that?
JOE GIBBS: Denny is here for the next 10 years. That’s what I’m announcing (smiling).
No, really, we’re working on everything in our place. We know Denny’s going to be here.
— NASCAR —