Kevin Harvick has raised concerns about Denny Hamlin’s future at Joe Gibbs Racing, drawing a comparison to Kyle Busch’s situation three years ago. Hamlin is facing a critical year ahead in the NASCAR Cup Series as he struggles with a 20-year title drought and missed the Championship 4 for the third consecutive time in 2024. This has been exacerbated by the loss of sponsorships worth around $25 million annually, mirroring the challenges Busch faced before his 2022 move to Richard Childress Racing.
Harvick discussed Hamlin’s situation on his podcast, alongside NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass, noting that Hamlin’s circumstances could be reminiscent of Busch’s departure if the 2025 season doesn’t go well. Harvick pointed out that while Hamlin has multiple options in his career, his future at Joe Gibbs Racing remains uncertain. He emphasized that much depends on the relationship between the driver and crew chief, and that while Hamlin is committed to his work, the outcome is unpredictable.
Pockrass added that Hamlin’s ability to manage distractions could help him cope better than Busch if things don’t go as planned. Hamlin, who has other ventures outside of racing, may be better equipped to handle any struggles during the season without them affecting his performance week-to-week.
Despite these concerns, Hamlin remains optimistic about the 2025 season, which begins with the Daytona 500 on February 16. He recently secured new sponsorships from Sport Clips, King’s Hawaiian, and National Debt Relief, with the latter joining for four races. Hamlin expressed his personal connection to National Debt Relief, recalling the financial struggles his parents faced to support his racing career. He sees this partnership as a way to help others manage their debt.
Additionally, Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gabehart, has transitioned to a new role as Director of Racing at Joe Gibbs Racing, with Chris Gayle now taking over as Hamlin’s crew chief. This change marks a fresh chapter for the driver as he enters the high-stakes 2025 season.
