Denny Hamlin says a return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is still something he wants to do before his career ends. The veteran driver has built a long career in the NASCAR Cup Series and now co-owns 23XI Racing. Even so, he said, putting together a single race in another series has not been easy.
The idea of a Denny Hamlin Truck Series start has come up several times, but sponsorship remains the main issue. Hamlin spoke about the situation while discussing the strong field for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race that includes several Cup regulars, including teammate Chase Briscoe. Hamlin said he would like to compete again in the lower series, but financial realities have slowed those plans.
Denny Hamlin Truck Series Plans Face Sponsorship Challenge
Hamlin said funding is the biggest barrier to returning to the series for a limited schedule.
“I’m torn on it. I would like to. Sponsorship is the biggest climb. You have to find someone who wants to sponsor me for a race or maybe two.”
He said most competitive teams already have full-season deals in place. That leaves only a few opportunities for drivers who want to run a short program.
“It’s just hard. Sponsorship in general in the series is really hard. A lot of the elite rides are taken. They’re full-time. So you’ve just got some of these high-end teams that have part-time schedules.”
Hamlin explained that this situation makes it harder to organize a one-race entry, even for a veteran Cup driver.
Career Goal Still Motivates Hamlin
Denny Hamlin said the idea of racing again in the Truck Series ties directly to a personal goal he set for the end of his career.
“My career-ending objective was that I wanted to win my last start in every series, and I won my last start in Xfinity or O’Reilly. So I don’t want to mess that up.”
He said that the plan includes a future race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
“Now I need to go back down to the Truck Series, win a race, quit that one, and then give myself a chance, hopefully at the end of next year, to win my last Cup start.”
The possible Denny Hamlin Truck Series return remains part of that objective, but it depends on whether the right opportunity appears.
Denny Hamlin Says One-Race Deals are Difficult for Sponsors
Hamlin said most sponsors prefer longer programs that provide more exposure. A single race often does not deliver enough return for companies.
“That makes it very difficult to do one-offs because it’s hard to get the return on investment for sponsors. They spend the money for one race, you get the one hit, and then it’s gone.”
“So it usually takes quite a few starts, and I’m certainly not willing to commit that much.”
Hamlin said he nearly secured a Truck race at Darlington Raceway, but the plan fell through.
“I was really close to doing the Truck race at Darlington next week, but it just didn’t work out.”
When the Denny Hamlin Truck Series returns, he said he wants the race to be at a challenging track.
“But I want it to be a tough track. If I do a Truck race, I don’t know, maybe a mile-and-a-half. Those look like fun races.”
Denny Hamlin Truck Series Return Faces Sponsorship Hurdle: “It’s just hard”