It was a post from Denny Hamlin on social media shortly after missing his shot in the Final 4 in Phoenix that left many of his fans confused. “It’s been quite an adventure. Thank you 11 fans, ” Hamlin had written, making many of his fans wonder if this was the last time they saw the Joe Gibbs Racing driver in NASCAR.
However, on his podcast, Actions Detrimental, when Hamlin was confronted about this, he wasted no time in setting the record straight. Additionally, he also dwelt on his future in the sport and what drives this decision for him.
Denny Hamlin not retiring from NASCAR after all
During the podcast, Hamlin’s co-host Jared Allen broached the subject of his seemingly cryptic social media post, insinuating whether it was his farewell to NASCAR after the Martinsville heartbreak. “Of course I’ll be in Phoenix this weekend. Hamlin responded cheekily.
Allen clarified his question this time, asking directly if he meant he was retiring, especially given his choice of words in the “one hell of an adventure” part of his post, to which Hamlin replied : “It’s true, isn’t it?”
“With the fans, back and forth. ‘It’s our year…’, ‘Ah shit!. It’s not yet the case. This has been a fun ride. I do not send any other subliminal messages. I’m just saying it’s been a really fun ride. He described. “The fans have been passionate about me all year; I appreciate that. It’s been fun for me. I enjoy the noise, I really do. I thought this weekend there would be by far more #11 gear than I’ve ever seen. From afar.”
Hamlin thanked the number 11 fans for supporting and encouraging him, adding: “You make me want to keep doing this, that’s for sure. And even those who boo, we have their attention. We know they care.
“It’s been a really fun year because we were so competitive week in and week out, and then that weekly back and forth with the fans has been fun as well.”
Hamlin also clarified his position on this subject after Martinsville
Long before taking the microphone on his podcast to comment on this subject, Denny Hamlin clarified the path he has left in NASCAR in pursuit of his Cup title. Hamlin said what fulfills his passion to continue to do this, to continue to race at the highest level of NASCAR, is the fact that he has a chance to win every week.
“This is by no means over. We have a long way to go,” he pointed out.
Hamlin further added that he was happy with how 2023 went for him and the No. 11 team, saying they were “significantly faster » this year at most racetracks compared to last year. However, it was the fact that “it’s the race” it was their undoing at Martinsville and left him out of a final four spot in Phoenix.
