For over 20 years, Denny Hamlin and FedEx were inseparable—one of the longest-running sponsorships in NASCAR history. But in recent years, cracks began to show, with FedEx scaling back its commitment from full-season sponsorship to just 12 races by 2023. Now, with FedEx officially out, Hamlin finds himself in uncharted waters, raising concerns about his long-term stability at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR).
Hamlin Starts 2025 Strong, But Sponsorship Concerns Loom
Hamlin didn’t let the off-track drama affect his on-track performance at Bowman Gray’s Cook Out Clash.
- Won his heat race on Saturday, securing a place in the Clash.
- Led 28 laps on Sunday, finishing P3 behind Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney.
- His new crew chief, Chris Gayle, was encouraged by the performance, calling it “a good first attempt.”
But despite his strong start, Hamlin knows the real battle is off the track—finding the funding to keep his No. 11 Toyota competitive.
Hamlin Speaks Out: “Sponsorship Dollars Are Not Flowing Like They Used To”
Hamlin addressed the shifting sponsorship landscape, acknowledging how much tougher it’s become for teams to secure consistent backing.
“Sponsorship’s hard to come by. It’s such an important time in our sport to recognize that sponsorship dollars are not flowing like they used to, for sure. Everyone’s had to adjust quite a bit.”
For a team like Joe Gibbs Racing, which has always relied on premium sponsorship deals, this shift is especially concerning.
“Having one sponsor for 20 years made things pretty easy, and now it’s all kind of catching up. Is it concerning from my end? Maybe a little bit. But it’s probably more concerning from JGR’s standpoint.”
Kenny Wallace: “Hamlin Deserves That Big Money”
NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace came to Hamlin’s defense, stating that his performance justifies the big-dollar sponsorship deals he’s seeking.
“As much criticism as people want to throw at Denny Hamlin, he’s a difference-maker. He did all that talking, and then he went out there, led the race, and finished third. He’s a gamer. He deserves that big money.”
But Wallace also hinted that JGR bears the responsibility for securing sponsorship—not Hamlin.
The Kyle Busch Parallels: Is Hamlin on the Same Path?
NASCAR fans can’t ignore the eerie similarities between Hamlin’s current situation and Kyle Busch’s 2022 exit from JGR.
- When M&M’s left Busch, JGR failed to find a suitable replacement.
- Busch, feeling undervalued, was forced to leave for Richard Childress Racing.
- He later admitted: “Did JGR try hard enough to sell me? My answer to that is no.”
Could Hamlin suffer the same fate? NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass doesn’t think so—at least not yet.
“I think Denny rides the wave a little bit better than Kyle Busch does. The good thing about Denny having all these other things going on is that he can have the distraction from struggling week to week that maybe it doesn’t gnaw at him as much.”
The 23XI Safety Net: Hamlin’s Exit Strategy?
Unlike Busch, Hamlin has an escape route—his co-ownership of 23XI Racing alongside Michael Jordan.
- If sponsorship issues at JGR continue, Hamlin could jump ship to his own team, securing his own funding.
- 23XI has already shown it can attract major sponsors (DoorDash, McDonald’s, Monster Energy).
- Toyota would likely support Hamlin’s transition, ensuring he stays in the manufacturer’s stable.
Can JGR Keep Hamlin?
For now, Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota is being sponsored by National Debt Relief for four races (Daytona 500, Circuit of the Americas, Coca-Cola 600, Talladega). But that’s a far cry from a full-season deal.
If JGR can’t lock down a new primary sponsor, Hamlin might find himself at a crossroads, much like Busch did in 2022.
But this time, Denny Hamlin controls his own destiny—and if the writing’s on the wall, he has an open door waiting for him at 23XI Racing.
