NASCAR Cup Series star Denny Hamlin has once again discussed his retirement from the sport ahead of Sunday's race at Darlington.

The Joe Gibbs Racing star headed to the South Carolina track this weekend with momentum behind him, having taken his first race victory of the season last Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Hamlin remains contracted to Joe Gibbs Racing through the 2027 season after signing an extension last season, but when doing so, he revealed it would 'most likely' be his last contract in the sport.

Despite being 45 years old, Hamlin certainly shows no signs of slowing down just yet, so could his continued pace lead to a change of heart? Even he isn't sure.

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Denny Hamlin latest retirement update

“I'm not really sure," Hamlin replied during media availability at Darlington Raceway when quizzed on whether his start to the season had made him want to race beyond 2027.

"I think that I've given Gibbs enough of a heads up that they're working on the plans for beyond. So as long as those all go as planned, I would, I still assume that the end of ‘27 is it.

"I just don't want to go to my last half of the year or year just like, can't wait to get out. If I could end on notes like we have, like seasons like this one is starting, then that would be a successful last year for me.”

Hamlin: 2027 retirement is what I would like

Later in the media availability, Hamlin was asked once again whether his current contract would be his last.

Again, he was non-committal, but did confirm that is what he would like.

“Well, I mean, things always change," Hamlin explained. "You just never know, but it's what I would like.

"But again, I don't know all the moving parts and pieces beyond what happens between now and bout 20 months from now. So, you just don't know.

"But I thought that was a good enough timeline and enough heads up that they [JGR] could make plans.”

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