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Denny Hamlin Postpones Shoulder Surgery Until November
The NASCAR driver will race the 2026 season with a torn shoulder, hoping to delay surgery until the offseason.
Feb. 4, 2026 at 2:31pm
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Denny Hamlin, the 45-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing driver, has torn his right shoulder again after having arthroscopic surgery on it following the 2023 season. Hamlin said he doesn't plan to have surgery during the 2026 season, and will instead wait until the offseason to address the injury. The driver cited a fall at his mother's home, which was damaged in a fire that killed his terminally ill father, as the cause of the re-injury.
Why it matters
Hamlin is a veteran NASCAR driver with 60 career Cup Series wins, but is still seeking his first championship. Driving with an injured shoulder could impact his performance and ability to compete at the highest level in 2026.
The details
Hamlin said the shoulder is not as bad as it was at the end of 2023, but he will need to carefully manage it throughout the season by limiting certain activities that aggravate the injury. Surgery would have sidelined him for at least a couple of months, so Hamlin has opted to delay the procedure until the offseason in November.
- Hamlin had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder following the 2023 season.
- Hamlin noticed issues with his shoulder right after the 2025 season.
- In December, Hamlin fell while going through the rubble of his parents' home, which had burned down, and re-tore his shoulder.
- Hamlin plans to delay shoulder surgery until the first day of the 2026 offseason in November.
The players
Denny Hamlin
A 45-year-old NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing who has 60 career Cup Series wins but is still seeking his first championship.
Joe Gibbs Racing
The NASCAR team that Denny Hamlin drives for.
What they’re saying
“I don't think that it ever healed properly. I just noticed some issues really kind of right after the season. It just was nagging me a little bit.”
— Denny Hamlin
“Took a little fall at my mom's house, going through all the rubble and stuff, and it just didn't feel right. I got it re-scanned and [was told I] re-tore it again.”
— Denny Hamlin
“The easy thing to say is, 'Poor me,' but I still have a fantastic life, a great family. A lot of people go through tragedies.”
— Denny Hamlin
What’s next
Hamlin plans to delay shoulder surgery until the first day of the 2026 offseason in November.
The takeaway
Denny Hamlin's decision to postpone shoulder surgery until the offseason shows his determination to compete at a high level in 2026 despite the injury. However, managing the shoulder issue throughout the season will be a significant challenge as he seeks his first NASCAR Cup Series championship.
