Denny Hamlin and FedEx’s contracts with Joe Gibbs Racing are set to expire at the conclusion of the 2023 NASCAR season. As of right now, this has become the primary focus of the NASCAR silly season process for 2024.
Trackhouse Racing has announced multi-year contract extensions with both Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez. Hendrick Motorsports has also inked Alex Bowman to a multi-year deal. Meanwhile, Stewart-Haas Racing re-signed its rising young driver Chase Briscoe.
Outside of Hamlin, there is not another major driver that appears to be available as most of the free agents have already been re-signed. Due to this fact, the driver of the No. 11 car is now the main topic.
Related: Denny Hamlin provides big updates on future at Joe Gibbs Racing
Denny Hamlin’s future in the NASCAR Cup Series elevates to the main topic of silly season
Hamlin will likely return to Toyota Racing due to his co-owned team, 23XI Racing, having an affiliation with Joe Gibbs Racing. If the driver of the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing moved to a different manufacturer, it would take an incredible amount of movement.
However, it all depends on whether FedEx returns as Hamlin’s sponsor next season. If FedEx were to leave the sport in a fashion similar to Mars, he would barely have any sponsorship for the 2024 season.
The good thing for Hamlin is that he has a backup option, unlike Kyle Busch when he left Joe Gibbs Racing for Richard Childress Racing. Since he owns a team, the 42-year-old driver could always drive for himself if it makes sense.
Hamlin has reportedly said he wants to drive for 23XI Racing for at least one season before he retires from the NASCAR Cup Series. If that were to come to frution, could the 2024 season represent the perfect opportunity?
Outside of Hamlin, the pickings are slim. Martin Truex Jr., Aric Almirola, Michael McDowell, Justin Haley, Harrison Burton, Todd Gilliland, Ty Dillon, Corey LaJoie, Noah Gragson, and Ryan Preece are probably the only available drivers at the end of the day.
Truex seems likely to either retire or stay with Joe Gibbs Racing while Almirola is the same way. This means Michael McDowell would be the top free agent in the Cup Series without a deal for the 2024 season.
It is good that NASCAR is seeing drivers have security for themselves and their families. The sense of security makes everything easier. However, people should not expect a rambunctious silly season like in previous years.
Most NASCAR organizations appear to be happy with what they have right now. Perhaps, this silly season could be dedicated to seeing drivers earn opportunities they have deserved for a long time.