DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 08: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, practices for the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 08, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Denny Hamlin is looking to become a NASCAR team owner, per rumors
Shane Walters
Bubba Wallace could be the possible driver for the new racing team
All four tires are bolted on with loose lugnuts and all as we roll into Silly Season.
For weeks, it’s been rumored that Denny Hamlin is in talks to purchase a NASCAR team. Initially, those rumors pointed to an investment in Richard Petty Motorsports for a part-ownership stake.
At the same time, rumors surfaced that Michael Jordan could be looking to invest in Richard Petty Motorsports. Jordan also happens to be a long-time sponsor of Denny Hamlin through the Jordan Brand. However, those rumors were dismissed by his PR rep.
Two weeks ago, Hamlin didn’t shoot down the rumors he was looking to purchase a team. Instead, he further added to the mystery around the topic.
“I don’t have anything to announce or to speak about when it comes to it,” Hamlin said.
“I think that I’m always looking towards what I’m going to do after my driving career is over. I’ve got some great partners that support me and my decisions in what I will do for years to come. So, I don’t know. I wish I had something to announce, but I really don’t.
Hamlin added, “There’s a lot of things up in the air that are still getting worked on, but I just got – I’ve got to win this weekend and next weekend, and that’s where I’ve got to focus, but certainly I believe that, no matter what, my career will be with Joe Gibbs Racing and FedEx as long as I want to drive.”
GEICO signed on as one of the four primary sponsors of the NASCAR Cup Series ahead of the 2020 season. Across the board, the company has been dissolving their team sponsorships for larger series type partnerships.
For 2021, GEICO will not partner with Germain Racing. That team is looking for sponsors in 2021.
They’re also looking for a new owner. Germain Racing is for sale.
The rumors have now shifted. Bidders for Germain Racing have been rumored to be Denny Hamlin, The Money Team Racing (Floyd Mayweather) and Dustin Marks per Adam Stern.
Pro Sports Management agent Rod Moskowitz represents Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson. All three have an interesting off-season ahead.
Recently, Bubba Wallace informed Richard Petty Motorsports that he would not return to the team in 2021. This came after they offered him an extremely rare part-ownership role in the team if he was to return, he still turned the offer down.
The pieces are stumbling together. It’s possible that Bubba Wallace becomes the driver for Germain Racing’s new owner. Which are likely to be Denny Hamlin or even Floyd Mayweather.
If Hamlin purchases the team, they would almost certainly made the switch from Chevrolet to Toyota. Bubba Wallace was previously a Toyota Racing Development driver, until the 2014 season.
In 2020, Bubba Wallace has brought in Cash App, DoorDash and a long list of personal endorsements. If those sponsors were to follow Wallace to a new team, the driver could have his pick of where he wants to go.
Wallace has also looked into a possible ride with Chip Ganassi Racing, the former no. 42 ride for Kyle Larson.
Meanwhile, Kyle Larson is also without a NASCAR ride. He’s currently dominating EVERYTHING on dirt.
Larson is looking to return to NASCAR. The drivers recently submitted paperwork for the series to consider reinstatement following his April suspension.
Tony Stewart has expressed interest in signing Kyle Larson. He’s also encouraged NASCAR to lift his suspension.
Tony Stewart Racing fields four cars in the NASCAR Cup Series. Three of the four are now confirmed for 2021, with Aric Almirola recently signing an extension. Clint Bowyer’s no. 14 ride has yet to be confirmed for 2021.
On another note, Denny Hamlin is also a longtime friend of Kyle Larson.
All these dots could be firmly connected as soon as this week.