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Veteran NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin is the co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside National Basketball Association (NBA) legend Michael Jordan. Hamlin drives for Joe Gibbs Racing and competes on the track with his team, 23XI Racing.
What did Denny Hamlin have to say?
23XI Racing began its operation in 2021 and allied with Joe Gibbs Racing. Bubba Wallace has been with the team since the beginning and Tyler Reddick joined them in 2023. Over the years, Hamlin has been hesitant to drive for his team 23XI Racing.
While talking to Kevin Harvick earlier this year, Hamlin said he wishes to end his career at Joe Gibbs Racing as a tribute to coach Gibbs. Hamlin made his Cup debut back in 2005 and has been with the team for 19 full-time seasons. Hamlin has registered 52 wins till now. He also expressed his desire to race for his team 23XI Racing somewhere down the line.
"There's a few hesitations I have. 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," Hamlin said on the Happy Hour podcast.
Hamlin signed a multi-year contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing back in 2023. Joe Gibbs Racing is looking to expand into a three-car organization but Hamlin won't be a part of it.
Hamlin overlooks the day-to-day operations of his team 23XI Racing and eyes his maiden championship with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Other factors that influenced Hamlin's decision to not drive for 23XI Racing
Denny Hamlin shed light on his hesitation to drive for 23XI Racing and says that having a third entry for the team will take a few years. He also acknowledged the fact that his team 23XI Racing is as quick as Joe Gibbs Racing, but it takes time and effort to put a competitive pit crew, crew chief and engineers in place.
"I think it would take a few years because you've got to have a pit crew, too. The pit crew is such a big part of the results nowadays. The only advantage to that now, though, is that the cars are so similar. I'm very confident in the speed of the cars. The 23XI is just as fast as Joe Gibbs Racing is, but there's so many other elements that play into the result that would take a few years to get," Hamlin concluded.
