Reports of FedEx withdrawing their sponsorship from Denny Hamlin's #11 Toyota sent ripples across the NASCAR fraternity. The Tennessee-based company has been a longtime sponsor for Joe Gibbs Racing's #11 Camry, so their withdrawal cast a shadow over Hamlin's future at JGR. Does it mean Denny Hamlin is leaving Joe Gibbs' team? Here's what we know.
As per Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal, FedEx in 2023 announced that they were planning to cut their global expenses by $4 billion by 2025. And their plan included taking off the $25 million on JGR right fees, which started in full swing from last year.
FedEx has been the most prominent sponsor of Denny Hamlin's #11 car since 2006. JGR switched from Chevrolet to Toyota in 2008, and till 2022, the American shipping company has been synonymous with Hamlin's ride in NASCAR.
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They reduced operation from full-time to only 12 last year, and as of Bristol, JGR's #11 Toyota Camry XSE sported FedEx nine times this season. FedEx's reduction in operation meant Yahoo, Sporting Clips, Interstate Batteries and Mavis Tires and Brakes took its place as principal sponsor.
While FedEx's decision to withdraw from Joe Gibbs Racing and Denny Hamlin might be important for their own business, it changes the dynamic of JGR and the 43-year-old driver. Although he's contracted to stay with the team for one more year, his primary sponsor's departure could change the trajectory of his career.
Hamlin, for a long time, has been an advocate of one team and one sponsor, but FedEx's withdrawal has changed the variable. Does it mean that Hamlin is set for the move? If so, then where? If not, what could make him stay?
To start off, if the #11 driver wants to leave Joe Gibbs Racing, he only has one probable destination, and that's the team he co-owns, 23XI Racing. However, it will be interesting to see if he joins them; if he does so, will it be under a full-time obligation or part-time?
If not, what could make him stay at JGR? Firstly, his relationship with Joe Gibbs. Denny Hamlin raced for the team for almost two decades and could choose to retire from the sport at JGR. However, for that, he might have to accept a pay cut until JGR finds a suitable replacement for FedEx.
Denny Hamlin's thoughts about his future involving Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing
Denny Hamlin, on more than one occasion, spoke about his loyalty to Joe Gibbs and how he wants to finish his Cup Series career driving the #11 car. However, there's a part of him that wants to drive for his 23XI Racing team.
Speaking about that, Hamlin said in an interview with Fox Sports' Kevin Harvick (former NASCAR driver),
"I see my full time career ending at Joe Gibbs Racing," he said. "One is that, I want to end my career with Joe Gibbs Racing, because I want to be loyal to the person that gave me my start.
"But yes, there is a part of me that wants to drive for 23XI. Absolutely. I think without doubt, I’ll say that I’ll certainly be racing at 23XI, in at least a race, at some point in my career."
Denny Hamlin is focused on the playoffs, chasing his first Cup Series championship. He's set to take part in the upcoming Kansas Speedway race this weekend and will drive the FedEx Toyota Camry XSE.
