Denny Hamlin addresses the possibility of a 'mic drop' retirement after winning NASCAR championship

A championship is the one thing that’s eluded Denny Hamlin in his NASCAR career, and he’s doing everything he can to secure one.

If he does, could Hamlin pull a Ray Lewis or Peyton Manning, and decide to retire on top of the world? That’s something the Joe Gibbs Racing wheelman answered during an appearance on Jeff Gluck of The Athletic‘s 12 Questions article this week.

Evidently, it’s not that simple in NASCAR, as it would take planning of almost an entire year, and then executing that plan to be able to pull it off.

“With contracts the way they are, it would be difficult,” explained Hamlin. “You would have to plan it and it would have to be almost in a year you plan to call it quits. That, or have some sort of buyout in your contract.

“So it’s very unlikely, especially in our sport. It’s not like other pro sports where you’re on a team and you’re playing one other team in the Super Bowl. There’s still many, many other drivers out there and many things that can change the outcome of your race. So the odds of you doing it in what you have already planned as your final year? Low, less than 2 percent.”

Still, that would be a pretty awesome way to go out as a NASCAR driver. The legendary Jeff Gordon almost pulled it off in his final season in the Cup Series, but was unable to find victory at Homestead in his final race. Perhaps Hamlin could make history, if the situation ever arises.

Regardless, Hamlin simply wants at least one championship, as he doesn’t want to be known as the greatest driver without a title when it comes to NASCAR’s history. Mark Martin has a claim, but Hamlin’s 50 wins and performance week-in and week-out is putting him in that territory.

Alas, Hamlin has come ridiculously close to that first title on multiple occasions throughout his career. He’s finished second in points once, and third twice. He’s also racked up victories like it’s nobody’s business, but something just always seems to go wrong come playoff time for his team.

All it takes is one perfect storm, and Denny Hamlin recognizes that. Perhaps 2023 will be the season he finally wins a title, even if many of the fans at the track wouldn’t be thrilled with that outcome.