NASCAR star Denny Hamlin drops retirement hint after Michigan victory

NASCAR star Denny Hamlin has offered a hint on when he could retire following his Cup Series win at Michigan.

After an exciting late battle with William Byron at Michigan International Speedway, Hamlin took the black and white checkered flag on Sunday evening to secure his third win of the 2025 season. The victory was significant for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it makes Hamlin the most-winningest driver ever for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Cup Series, and second, it moves him ever closer to the top 10 on the all-time Cup Series wins list.

Not only that, but Hamlin also became only the 10th driver ever to win in the Cup Series after hitting the 700-race milestone.

READ MORE: NASCAR star Ross Chastain benefits as Team Penske driver demoted after Michigan race

When will Denny Hamlin retire from NASCAR?

Naturally, those achievements were brought up post-race when Hamlin was talking to the media, as was his competitiveness at 44 years old.

The Joe Gibbs Racing star admitted that it feels good, but admitted that he will hate it the moment he stops being as competitive as he is currently, noting that is the moment he will decide to call it a day and retire.

"I mean, it feels good," Hamlin said in a press conference at Michigan. "I’m so hung up on trying to get to a win total that I told you before, I get really frustrated on the days that I feel like I had the car, I just didn’t have the execution, or I made a mistake.

"It’s gratifying. I look at the names that have won multiple. I think Jeff Gordon has the most, right? It’s like these guys, I can’t hold their helmet back. They’re better than I am. I know they’re better than I am because I’ve raced against them.

"It just feels good because I’m going to hate it when I’m not at the level I’m at now. I certainly will retire very, very quickly after that.

"I’m not going to hang around and do it just to do it. This is how I want to spend my last season, is like still winning, you know? I’m going to keep going."

Whilst Hamlin remains competitive, he plans to keep on running, admitting he would love to get into the mid-60s in terms of all-time Cup Series wins, accounting for the likes of Joey Logano and Kyle Larson that could pass him in the future.

"I got to count on possibly Logano, more than likely Larson overtaking us in wins. You got to budget for at least a couple of these guys that started so much younger than I did to beat us on the win total," Hamlin added.

"I forever want to be in the top 10. It’s not going to be forever. There’s going to be someone that comes down the line that’s going to be the best ever. They’re going to win a lot. At least while I’m alive, I want to be in the top 10 for the most wins.

"I just love knocking ’em off one by one. Certainly getting three already this year is putting me on pace to where I think I need to be."

Hamlin currently ranks 11th on the all-time wins list, just three wins behind Kevin Harvick in 10th.

READ MORE: Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson among NASCAR Cup Series stars hit with penalties at Michigan

Related

NASCAR Opinion

23XI star piles pressure on Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin after latest NASCAR success

• Today 02:00

NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR legend Denny Hamlin confirms Cup Series retirement verdict

• Today 00:00