Drivers in their mid-40s aren’t the most attractive prospects to NASCAR team owners and fans. They are past their prime and are on the verge of retirement. This is where 44-year-old Denny Hamlin is now, trying to find sponsors for the 2025 Cup Series season following FedEx’s exit from the sport.
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His team, Joe Gibbs Racing, announced through social media that National Debt Relief will be his primary sponsor for four races this year. The news left his fans concerned. They wondered why one of the most popular and dominant drivers in the game had not figured out his sponsorship with less than three weeks left for the season to begin.
Sports columnist Nick Bromberg wrote on X how this situation was less than ideal, and his followers voiced their opinions below his post. Some believed that Joe Gibbs Racing might be intentionally delaying or blocking sponsorship for Hamlin’s No. 11 team to boot him out.
A fan asked, “Isn’t that same lack of sponsors mostly what got KFB booted from his ride? I know times are tough for everybody, but why does JGR seem to struggle with these high-profile drivers that sponsors should be tripping over each other to team up with?”
Kyle Busch was forced to quit Joe Gibbs Racing in 2022. The reason? His team couldn’t find him sponsors. Fans believe that Hamlin will eventually face the same fate as his former teammate. One comment read, “He’s getting the KFB treatment. I give him another year or two tops at JGR.” Another fan added, “JGR has been horrible at securing sponsorship. Look at the fallout of M&Ms and Kyle Busch.”
One more user wrote, “Meanwhile, Trackhouse just signed Red Bull? Not sure what the deal is with JGR and Hamlin.” It doesn’t make sense that other teams and drivers are thriving on sponsorship money and Hamlin, of all drivers, isn’t able to land a brand to support him.
He’s getting the KFB treatment. I give him another year or two tops at JGR.
— Alex Kerner (@psychedalex68) January 30, 2025
Hamlin made the playoffs in 2024 and was a strong contender all season. He is still capable of winning races, but the championship continues to evade him. With the rise of drivers like Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs might be looking to replace Hamlin with a younger driver and secure his team’s future.
However, winning the Cup Series title is the one thing that will undoubtedly get him back Joe Gibbs’ support. Hamlin will begin his 20th full-time season soon and aim for gold again. His first race will be the Daytona 500 on February 16.
