DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In the waning hours before Thursday evening’s Can-Am Duels at Daytona Int’l Speedway, Denny Hamlin and long-time sponsor FedEx announced that they have both signed contract extensions with Joe Gibbs Racing.
The deal keeps Hamlin behind the wheel of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry — which he has driven for the entirety of his career since joining JGR in 2005, save for select races — for the foreseeable future.
While specific terms of the deal were not disclosed during the afternoon press conference, Hamlin did give reporters a hint as to the length of time he will remain with the team that gave him his break at NASCAR’s top level.
“I’ll be much grayer,” Hamlin joked when asked how many more contract extensions he would have after his new contract is up.
“The FedEx car will continue to be around for many, many years. It’s enjoyable to be a staple with Joe Gibbs and FedEx for what I hope is the entirety of my career. I’ve been like a horse with blinders. Everything’s been so good at home … why venture out?”
Hamlin is one of only two drivers (Jimmie Johnson, Lowes, Hendrick Motorsports) in NASCAR’s current era to have maintained relationships with the same full-season primary sponsor and team across the entirety of his Cup career.
“Obviously, we’ve had a great relationship of 12 years, and to do it with one team and one sponsor is very rare in our sport. It’s very hard to do,” Hamlin added. “But to have a company that sticks behind me and behind this team like FedEx does … I couldn’t be more blessed and I wake up every day thanking my lucky stars that I get to keep doing this with them.”
“As a racer, you only dream of an opportunity to compete for wins and championships at the highest level, and I have been fortunate to do that with FedEx and JGR for more than a decade.”
FedEx first joined JGR at the start of the 2005 season, with the purple hues of the courier delivery services company adorning the side of what was then the No. 11 Chevrolet with driver Jason Leffler.
Later in the season, Hamlin jumped up to the Cup level for a part-time schedule of seven races, winning the pole at Phoenix Int’l Raceway in just his sixth-career start.
The rest, as they say, is history.
“FedEx has been synonymous with the Number 11 car and Denny Hamlin for many years, and together we have enjoyed great successes on and off the race track,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior vice president, FedEx Integrated and Marketing Communications. “Our relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing goes back to 2005, and Denny has been a key element to that success.”
“FedEx is one of the most admired companies in the world,” added team owner Joe Gibbs. “This sport is different because we do have sponsors that are key to what we do, and you develop relationships with them. They come with you through the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. For us, we’re thrilled to be on FedEx’s team and thankful that they continue to serve as a standard-bearer in our sport. It’s exciting for us to continue to be a part of this.”
All told, Hamlin has scored 29 career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victories, winning at least one race in every full-time season he has raced and making the playoffs 10 times over the last 11 years.
His career-best points finish came seven years ago, when he led the points entering the final race of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway but finished second in the final standings to eventual champion Jimmie Johnson.
In addition to their contract extension with Hamlin’s team, FedEx also announced a new program on Thursday: Delivering Laps for FedEx Cares.
The company will donate $111 to the non-profit organization Safe Kids Worldwide for every lap Hamlin leads this season. Every race win Hamlin scores during the season will equal an $11,000 donation and should Hamlin go to Homestead and win the Cup championship in November, FedEx will make a $111,000 donation.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: editor@racechaseronline.com
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