NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass backs Denny Hamlin to follow through on retirement

Following another Cup Series victory for Denny Hamlin on Sunday, the NASCAR community is once again debating whether or not the Joe Gibbs Racing star will follow through on his decision to retire next year.

Ever since signing his most recent contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing, the driver of the No. 11 Toyota has been adamant that he will call it quits on his career at the end of 2027, despite his continued ability to not only win, but dominate races.

The most recent display of that came at Michigan on Sunday, where, having taken pole, Hamlin went to the rear of the field ahead of the green flag with a penalty and ended up going from the back to the front, winning by over 10 seconds.

It has once again reignited the conversation surrounding Hamlin's retirement decision, and the man himself even admitted post-race on Sunday that he would have a 'tough' decision to make if he was in this sort of form next year.

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Will Denny Hamlin retire at the end of 2027?

Now, trusted NASCAR insider and FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass has shared his thoughts on what he thinks Hamlin will decide.

“Hamlin is already 45 and turns 46 later this year. He is competing in his 21st full-time Cup season. He has competed in 735 races. Gosh, after all that, maybe Hamlin is, dare I say, tired?" Pockrass wrote on FOXSports.com.

“Hamlin certainly appears tired. However, the competitor in him won’t let him stop working if he is going to go race. Additionally, he admits he likes to be busy. But 21 seasons, and 22 next year, has to wear on a person. And the incentive for Hamlin doesn’t appear to be there.”

Denny Hamlin facing 'tough' retirement decision

Of course, the only opinion that really matters is Hamlin's, and he had the following to say post-race at Michigan on Sunday.

"I think if - and that’s a big if - like I’m at this point and this fast at this point next year, it would be a tough, tough decision," Hamlin said on whether he'd consider continuing to race.

"That’s not saying that I would, but it would be a tough decision because, again, I’m planning for the downfall that I know will come.

"I always say there’s like three things that happen. You’re going to lose your eyesight, then you lose, in no particular order, it’s your eyesight, your reaction, and then your body hurts. I’ve already got the body hurts part of it, right? It’s just the other two things have remained really sharp."

Hamlin continued: "It was certainly a goal to get to 63 (Cup wins) as of a couple years ago, or a year ago, because I knew that would put me by myself in ninth.

"I ain’t getting to eighth (Dale Earnhardt with 76 wins), so what am I doing? You know what I mean? I’m content.

"If I quit tomorrow, I swear I will feel no more gratified than if I go out there and win 72 races. It makes no difference."