NASCAR star Denny Hamlin issues RETIREMENT verdict

NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin has admitted that retirement is in sight, although he isn't quite done yet.

The 44-year-old currently races in the Cup Series full-time for Joe Gibbs Racing and is also a co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside NBA legend Michael Jordan.

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One thing that has so far eluded the driver of the #11 car is a Cup Series championship, with second place his best finish back in 2010.

However, Hamlin has had an illustrious career so far, winning 54 times and finishing inside the top 10 on an impressive 358 occasions. Three of those wins have come at the Daytona 500 — the jewel in NASCAR's crown.

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Denny Hamlin discusses NASCAR retirement

In an interview ahead of this year's Daytona 500, Hamlin sat down with Fox Sports to discuss all things NASCAR, including when he might call it a day.

Asked if he could see the finish line in his career, Hamlin admitted that retirement was in sight.

"I definitely can [see the finish line],” Hamlin told Fox Sports.

“And I’m just not gonna allow myself to be another driver out there.

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“There’ll be a day when I wake up and I don’t have the skill set that I had before. I don’t know when that day is. I don’t feel like it’s right now. I feel as sharp as I ever have behind the wheel."

Hamlin, however, understands that will not last forever: “I’m no dummy,"

"I understand that Father Time is gonna feed you.

"Especially in our sport where reaction times are probably the most important thing."

Hamlin went on to suffer a late heartbreaking wreck in this year's Daytona 500 having been in contention for the win heading into the last lap at Daytona International Speedway.

In Sunday's Ambetter Health 400 in Atlanta, Hamlin came home in sixth, marking a steady start to the season for the #11 team.

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