Major New Sponsor for Denny Hamlin? | New No. 1 on My NASCAR Power Ranking!

Denny Hamlin may have just secured a major new sponsorship deal, and this week, there’s a shakeup at the top of my NASCAR power rankings. Let’s dive into the latest developments in the world of NASCAR.

Is Progressive Insurance the New Anchor Sponsor for Denny Hamlin?

The No. 11 car, driven by Denny Hamlin, suffered significant sponsorship losses at the end of last season, with FedEx ending its two-decade-long relationship with Hamlin and Mavis Tires choosing not to renew its deal. This left a massive void in the financial backing for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), leading the team to scramble for alternative sponsors. Smaller deals have been secured with National Debt Relief, King’s Hawaiian, and Sport Clips, but none of these are the kind of anchor sponsorship that a premier driver like Hamlin typically enjoys.

However, recent reports from Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal suggest that Progressive Insurance is looking to enter the NASCAR sponsorship scene, and their top target is Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11. This would be a game-changer for Hamlin, filling the sponsorship gap with a high-profile, blue-chip corporate partner. Progressive was one of the top five spenders on NASCAR TV commercials last year, joining the likes of Toyota, Wendy’s, Ford, and Pepsi—all brands deeply involved with NASCAR teams. If Progressive officially signs on, it would reaffirm Hamlin’s value to major sponsors and could lead to exciting new marketing opportunities—perhaps even commercials featuring Hamlin alongside Progressive’s iconic mascot, Flo.

With a long-term deal, this partnership would also solidify Hamlin’s future at JGR, putting to rest any speculation that he might be forced out due to financial constraints—similar to what happened with Kyle Busch in the past. Instead, Hamlin would remain in control of his own NASCAR destiny, a fitting scenario for a driver of his caliber.

Denny Hamlin’s Performance and Future Prospects

Despite inconsistent results in the early part of the season, Hamlin remains a strong competitor. Currently sitting 12th in the standings, he has yet to secure a win in 2025, but there are promising signs. NASCAR and Goodyear have been pushing for softer tires that promote tire management—an area where Hamlin excels, especially on short, flat tracks. At Phoenix, where NASCAR debuted its new soft compound, Hamlin finished second, proving that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Although he hasn’t reached the Championship 4 since 2021, Hamlin continues to command a high salary and remains an elite-level driver. If Progressive comes on board with a multi-year commitment, it would reinforce his standing as one of the sport’s most marketable names. For a potential Hall of Fame driver like Hamlin, this kind of security would be invaluable.

Power Rankings: A New No. 1 Emerges

This past weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway provided plenty of excitement, and after analyzing the results, I’ve updated my NASCAR power rankings.

Honorable Mentions:

• Daniel Suárez – Has shown speed but needs to finish races cleanly.

• Ross Chastain – Scored his first top-five finish of the season, gaining momentum.

• Kyle Busch – Three top-ten finishes so far, but pit road mistakes have cost him.

• Denny Hamlin – Inconsistent results keep him just outside the top 10 for now.

Top 10 Power Rankings:

10. Bubba Wallace – Despite unlucky finishes, he ranks second in total stage points.

11. Chris Buescher – A steady start to 2025 with three top-10 finishes.

12. Chase Elliott – Consistently good, but not yet great.

13. Alex Bowman – One of only two drivers with four top-10 finishes this season.

14. Tyler Reddick – Strong early season form and a Homestead specialist.

With Homestead-Miami Speedway coming up, Reddick has a chance to move up in the rankings—he’s the defending race winner and has four top-five finishes in five starts there. Expect another strong showing from him this weekend.

Final Thoughts

Denny Hamlin’s sponsorship situation could be nearing a resolution, with Progressive Insurance looking like a strong candidate to step in. If this deal goes through, it will provide much-needed stability for Hamlin and JGR, allowing him to focus solely on performance. Meanwhile, the NASCAR season is heating up, with drivers jockeying for position in the standings. With Homestead on the horizon, we could see further shifts in the rankings as teams continue to adjust to the evolving competition landscape.

Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s see if Hamlin can climb his way back into championship contention!