Denny Hamlin, who narrowly missed out on winning the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship, will once again be sponsored by the insurance firm Progressive.
Hamlin, who was sponsored by FedEx from his rookie season in 2006 through 2024, was left without an anchor sponsor in 2025. However, Progressive re-entered NASCAR after minor stints in the past. The firm was featured on Hamlin’s No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in 18 races in 2025.
Now, after JGR announced last year that Bob’s Discount Furniture signed a multiyear deal with the veteran racer, Progressive will also return to the No. 11 team. Progressive will sponsor Hamlin’s Toyota in 11 races in 2026, starting with Texas Motor Speedway in May. National Debt Relief will also sponsor Hamlin in 12 races in 2026.
“The Progressive relationship means a lot to our team,” Hamlin said. “They came on board at a point when we really needed help last year and we were able to deliver great results on the track and later in the year, we did more stuff with them away from the track. It’s a testament to what our sport can drive as far as value for our sponsors, and we’re excited to have them back on board to continue to build on what we started in 2025.”
As JGR hit the reset button when FedEx departed the team, it didn’t just search for a company that will fill in races, but one that would be a true partner.
“We’re thrilled to have Progressive back with us and our 11 team this season,” said Joe Gibbs, owner and founder of Joe Gibbs Racing. “It was such a successful program on and off the track last season and we look forward to building upon that momentum this year.
Denny Hamlin’s emotional and painful return
Hamlin returned to NASCAR racing on Wednesday evening in the Cook Out Clash at North Wilkesboro. It was the first time he’s stepped behind the wheel of a racecar since his father, Dennis Hamlin, died in a fire that also severely injured his mother, Mary Lou.
“I think that the easy thing to say is ‘poor me,'” Hamlin said. “But it’s like, I still have a fantastic life, a great family. A lot of people go through tragedies. While what happened with my family in the offseason was highly publicized, there are probably tons of those stories of crewmembers that happened in their family this offseason, that happen to them during the season that no one really knows about.”
Hamlin’s father had been battling an undisclosed disease prior to the fire, which made his loss in the 2025 Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway sting more. Hamlin dominated the season finale, leading 208 of 319 laps. He was in cruise control when a caution waved near the conclusion of regulation. Crew chief Chris Gayle opted to take four tires, when Kyle Larson took two, and Larson soared in front of Hamlin to capture his second NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Hamlin also revealed that, while searching through his parents’ burned home, he reaggravated a pre-existing shoulder injury. Hamlin, however, will not undergo surgery for his injured shoulder until after the 2026 season.
“Limiting a lot of the things I love to do is also a priority,” Hamlin said. “It’s just going to be priority this season, unfortunately. I’m just going to miss a lot of fun things I like to do. A lot those things aggravate it and cause the tear to get worse. It’s torn, but it’s just kind of hanging on by a few parts and pieces that I need to keep intact for the full year.”
Denny Hamlin’s Future
Hamlin will compete in the NASCAR Cup Series fulltime for only another two seasons, including 2026. He will most likely retire after his current contract with JGR expires at the end of 2027.
Hamlin was, of course, involved in a complicated antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing with NBA legend Michael Jordan, was front and center in the case, as 23XI and Front Row Motorsports sued NASCAR. The case settled in December, when both sides agreed to change the charter system, a move that could determine Hamlin’s legacy away from the racetrack.
After retiring from full-time competition, Hamlin will focus on 23XI Racing, which fields three full-time Cup Series entries and a fourth part-time car with Corey Heim.
Hamlin has 60 career NASCAR Cup Series victories, all with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Progressive Re-Signs With Joe Gibbs Racing And Denny Hamlin