If there was ever a year for Denny Hamlin to seal his long-awaited championship, 2025 finally feels like it. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has combined speed, strategy, and composure throughout the playoffs, positioning himself as one of the most consistent contenders in the field. Yet this potential triumph comes during one of the most complex chapters of his career.

Off the track, Hamlin’s co-owned team, 23XI Racing, is locked in a lawsuit against NASCAR alleging unfair business practices within the charter system. The optics are striking: the same figure chasing racing’s highest driver honor is simultaneously challenging the sport’s financial framework. So, let’s say if he really wins it, how will he face the NASCAR leadership at the victory stage?

Suit or trophy, respect stays

When F

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