NASCAR star Denny Hamlin shares update on injury requiring surgery

Denny Hamlin has given an update on his ongoing injury issues after one of the most physically demanding races of the year.

Sunday saw the NASCAR Cup Series' first road course race of the year, a severe test for the couple of drivers on the grid dealing with ongoing physical issues including veterans Hamlin and Brad Keselowski.

Keselowski notably broke his leg badly in an accident on a family ski trip in December, and is still seen walking around pre- and post-race with a cane as he continues his recovery.

As for Hamlin, he re-tore his surgically repaired labrum when searching through the remains of his parents' house after the fire which killed his father and badly burned his mother in late December.

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Hamlin: I'll be sore tomorrow

The veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver originally had that injury repaired the winter before the 2024 season, but revealed before this year's Daytona 500 that he plans to gut it out through the year, and will presumably reassess after Homestead-Miami in November.

"I don't think that it ever healed properly," he said last month. "Just noticed some issues, really kind of right after the season. It just was nagging me a little bit. Took a little fall at my mom's house, going through all the rubble and stuff and just didn't feel right. Got it rescanned and retore it again."

Hamlin appeared delighted with his day after the conclusion of events on Sunday though, with his happiness at his own performance – finishing tenth – and another 23XI Racing win outweighing any pain he was in.

Asked after the race how his shoulder held up, he said: "Good. I feel good. It’ll definitely be sore tomorrow. But first mistake-free road course for me in six years. It’s freaking amazing. It’s like a win. I’m telling you, this is a win."