Denny Hamlin reveals he contemplated teaming up with Dale Earnhardt Jr at DEI

Denny Hamlin is the face of Joe Gibbs Racing at the moment. However, his career could’ve looked extraordinarily different if he followed through on a potential move.

Evidently, Hamlin had the opportunity to join Dale Earnhardt Jr. at the now-defunct DEI — Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. It never got too far, but it’s fairly obvious the NASCAR veteran considered it earlier on in his career.

“I really don’t know how close it really was, but I was close enough with Dale Jr. to have those conversations about moving to (Dale Earnhardt Inc.),” delineated Hamlin, during an appearance on Jeff Gluck of The Athletic‘s 12 Questions article. “I didn’t even have conversations with executives, it was just him. So I never really was close to any other deals as far as any other teams. Now, as a driver who has representation, if something comes to me, it’s pretty much, ‘It’s here if you want to do it.’ Like, it’s not ‘Hey, letting you know this is what’s going on, it’s getting close.’ I pretty much know it’s either a done deal or not, and then I have the choice to do it.

“So my thought in my brain at the time was, ‘Man, I could go over to DEI and be teammates with Dale Jr.?’ I really contemplated that for a little while.”

Alas, it all worked out for both parties, as Hamlin has had an illustrious career with JGR, and Earnhardt Jr. took his talents to Hendrick Motorsports, where he enjoyed success and now heads up his own racing operation in JR Motorsports.

Nevertheless, it’s fascinating to think of what the duo would’ve been like as teammates, and if Dale Earnhardt Jr. could’ve helped Denny Hamlin become a fan favorite in the Cup Series.

Denny Hamlin addresses the possibility of a ‘mic drop’ retirement after winning NASCAR championship

A championship is the one thing that’s eluded Denny Hamlin in his NASCAR career, and he’s doing everything he can to secure one.

If he does, could Hamlin pull a Ray Lewis or Peyton Manning, and decide to retire on top of the world? That’s something the Joe Gibbs Racing wheelman answered during an appearance on Jeff Gluck of The Athletic‘s 12 Questions article this week.

Evidently, it’s not that simple in NASCAR, as it would take planning of almost an entire year, and then executing that plan to be able to pull it off.

“With contracts the way they are, it would be difficult,” explained Hamlin. “You would have to plan it and it would have to be almost in a year you plan to call it quits. That, or have some sort of buyout in your contract.

“So it’s very unlikely, especially in our sport. It’s not like other pro sports where you’re on a team and you’re playing one other team in the Super Bowl. There’s still many, many other drivers out there and many things that can change the outcome of your race. So the odds of you doing it in what you have already planned as your final year? Low, less than 2 percent.”

Still, that would be a pretty awesome way to go out as a NASCAR driver. The legendary Jeff Gordon almost pulled it off in his final season in the Cup Series, but was unable to find victory at Homestead in his final race. Perhaps Hamlin could make history, if the situation ever arises.