Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin had a meeting with NASCAR president Steve Phelps and CEO Jim France in 2022. Later, Hamlin wrote an email to fellow team executives about the governing body focusing on cutting costs and criticizing France.The Cup Series driver's email claimed that the stock car racing association CEO believes NASCAR is a product and that he does not value the team owners. Hamlin's email further said that throughout the meeting, he highlighted the expenses relating to engine support. However, France asked the JGR driver to cut costs instead of increasing the financial support.Denny Hamlin also claimed that the governing body wants the car manufacturers (OEMs) to pay more and take the financial responsibility. The #11 Toyota Camry XSE driver was frustrated over France's mindset and wrote:"Jim doesn’t really value the current owners of our sport and what we bring. He believes that NASCAR itself is the show. He made a point to say that we have to continue to give OEMs tremendous value because they help support the teams. I honestly don’t think he understands that every teams OEM deal is different. I told him our 15M number is WITH OEM engine support.""In the end he just wants someone else to pay our bills, NOT NASCAR," he concluded.Denny Hamlin ended his email by stating that NASCAR only focuses on what the Cup Series team spends. He also claimed the governing body overlooks what the tracks spend on while earning most of the revenue."I'm gonna need some time on this one": Denny Hamlin got candid about his Phoenix heartbreakPost the championship party, NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin was featured in an interview with stock car racing journalist Jeff Gluck. During the interaction, Hamlin opened up about his plans for the 2026 season after facing a major heartbreak at Phoenix Raceway this season.Hamlin dominated the entire 2025 season, along with the 319-lap Championship 4 race. However, this was not enough to crown the JGR driver the 2025 Cup Series champion. He led 208 laps during the Phoenix race, but his last pit call changed the outcome of his season. While everyone went for a two-tire pit stop, the #11 driver changed all four tires, costing him valuable track positions.This situation gave Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson a chance to take the lead over Denny Hamlin. Ultimately, Larson finished third, while Hamlin came in sixth and lost his shot at his maiden championship title. Reflecting on that, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver told the press:"I mean, I plan to. I have a contract to, but at this point, there's just absolutely no way that I would even -- I don't even think about race cars right now. I'm gonna need some time on this one."Denny Hamlin wrapped the 2025 season as the runner-up. He clinched six victories, 18 top 10s, 14 top fives, and five pole positions in 35 starts. Additionally, he led 1024 laps while maintaining an average start of 11.943 this season.