Denny Hamlin recently expressed gratitude to FedEx on social media ahead of the Cup Series season finale in Phoenix, signaling the end of a long-standing sponsorship. According to the Sports Business Journal, FedEx is not expected to continue its partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025. Shortly after Hamlin’s message, FedEx’s post seemed to confirm the conclusion of this sponsorship.
FedEx has supported Joe Gibbs Racing since 2005, with its partnership with Hamlin being the longest-running driver-sponsor alliance in the Cup Series. Although this shift may seem unexpected, there have been ongoing rumors about FedEx’s decreasing involvement in NASCAR, and the company has been gradually reducing its sponsorship commitments in recent years.
In 2020, FedEx backed Hamlin’s cars in all 36 Cup Series races, but its presence has lessened since then. Including the Phoenix race in 2024, FedEx served as Hamlin’s primary sponsor for just 14 races this season. Since becoming a full-time Cup Series driver in 2006, Hamlin has secured 54 wins, with all but seven achieved in FedEx-sponsored cars.
If FedEx chooses not to stay with NASCAR or partner with another team, its departure would mark another major brand exit from the sport in recent years. Iconic sponsors like Lowe’s, Target, Nationwide, MillerCoors, Home Depot, and UPS have also pulled out, signaling a notable trend of big-name companies leaving NASCAR.
Fan Take: This news is significant because it highlights the ongoing challenges NASCAR faces in retaining longtime, high-profile sponsors, which are crucial for the sport’s financial health and visibility. Fans might worry about the impact on team stability and overall competition, but it might also push NASCAR to innovate and diversify its sponsorship base going forward.
