NASCAR star Denny Hamlin facing surgery and 3-4 month recovery

NASCAR star Denny Hamlin facing offseason surgery and 3-4 month recovery

NASCAR star Denny Hamlin has revealed that he is facing surgery on a torn shoulder, but still plans to race in 2026.

Hamlin has had about as tough an offseason as he possibly could have faced, tragically losing his father, Dennis, after a fire at his parents' home.

Thankfully, Denny's mother, Mary Lou, is getting better and continuing to recover from her injuries, but Hamlin has revealed that he aggravated an already sore shoulder whilst picking through the rubble at the house.

The Joe Gibbs Racing star is continuing his plans to race this season, however, and says that he will delay having the required surgery until after the season finale at Homestead in November.

Denny Hamlin reveals shoulder injury, facing surgery

“So got some unfortunate news that I re-tore my shoulder that I had from 2024,” Hamlin told the media ahead of qualifying for the Clash on Wednesday.

“So I’m gonna have to go the rest of the season the way I was before. I don’t think it ever healed properly.

“Just noticed some issues kind of right after the season, it was just nagging me a little bit.

“Took a little fall at my mom's house going through all the rubble and stuff and [it] just didn't feel right.

"Got it re-scanned, and they said it re-tore again.”

Denny Hamlin facing 3-4 month recovery

Hamlin revealed that he could have surgery on his shoulder right now, but he is not opting for that route as it would see him miss three to four months of the season.

“I could [have surgery],” he revealed. “The option was just do it now and miss the first three, four months [of the season].

"Or just tough it out and do it on the first day of the off-season, and that’s what I’ll do.”