Denny Hamlin heads into NASCAR’s season finale with only a remote path to his first Cup Series championship—and little appetite for the grind after a demanding year. The 64-time race winner says he still believes he can finish his career on his own terms, but his timeline points to 2027 as his final season.

By the Numbers
  • Hamlin is 70 points behind Kyle Larson before the Homestead-Miami finale.
  • To win the title, Hamlin needs to win and score at least 17 of 20 stage points—or 16 if he also earns the fastest-lap point—while Larson finishes 29th or worse without stage points.
  • Hamlin has 64 Cup Series wins and is in his 21st season.
Yes, But

Hamlin’s frustration doesn’t mean he has given up: he says he wants to win his final start and plans to enjoy the races he has left. But a recurring shoulder injury, personal losses and a punishing season have made the finish line feel appealing, too.

What’s Next

Hamlin will race for the championship at Homestead, though his title hopes depend on both a near-perfect day and a major collapse by Larson. After the season, he plans to have his shoulder scanned and will weigh whether he can put off surgery through 2027.

Bottom Line

Hamlin’s championship bid is all but over, but his bigger decision is how to manage the final stretch of a career he expects to end in 2027.