“I’ve only got two more chances at this — damn it.” Denny Hamlin said these words earlier in August, reflecting on his two-year extension contract with Joe Gibbs Racing. Back in 2010, the JGR veteran said that he would race only until 37 or 38 years old. But he is 44 now, and Hamlin does not show any sign of stopping, while being in pursuit of that elusive Cup Series championship. Yet even amidst NASCAR’s recent update, retirement may still be a topic for Hamlin.

In 2017, NASCAR instituted a rule for Cup Series drivers, limiting their presence in lower-tier series. The limit of races run in Xfinity and Trucks was kept at 7, and that went down to 5 by 2020. This season, however, executives are speculating on raising that number again. Although this presents a good chance for Denny Hamlin,

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