Through the first 19 seasons of his full-time NASCAR Cup Series career, Denny Hamlin and his No. 11 car were largely associated with one main primary sponsor: FedEx.
But after FedEx decided not to renew their partnership following the 2024 season, Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, and the No. 11 team were left in an unfamiliar position. That's when Progressive came along, shortly after the 2025 season began, and signed a deal to serve as the No. 11 Toyota's primary sponsor in select races throughout the rest of the year.
In 2026, they re-upped that partnership, fittingly with an 11-race deal. Now for 2027, they have expanded even further, and they are set to serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 11 Toyota for nearly two-thirds of the 36-race schedule (23 points races, 24 total races), beginning with the season-opening 69th annual running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 21.
“Progressive is an incredible sponsor, and we are excited to have them with us for so many races in 2027,” said Hamlin in a press release.
Denny Hamlin's new Progressive deal is a great sign for NASCAR
In a day and age where landing big-name sponsors has become harder and harder for a multitude of NASCAR drivers and teams, especially for any more than a handful of races, the expansion of the Progressive partnership from 11 to 24 races is massive for Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing.
Hamlin spoke to us about the partnership in May and how, after nearly two decades with FedEx, the new partnership was simply the right fit at the right time.
"It was perfectly timed," he said at the time. "There are a lot of things that kind of happened for a reason, but obviously having Progressive come on last year and instantly having the success with them on the race track has led to our great relationship off the race track."
And now they're going even further, for what many have long speculated could be Hamlin's final season of full-time Cup Series competition.
Denny Hamlin still eyeing elusive first NASCAR Cup championship
Hamlin, who just wrapped up his 21st full season in the series, has not shied away from retirement talks, with his 46th birthday right around the corner. The series' oldest active full-time driver has been clear that he has no current intention of signing an extension to remain with Joe Gibbs Racing beyond the 2027 season's conclusion.
He still has his eyes on that elusive first championship, and after leading the series in total points for the first time in his career in 2026, the 2027 season might well present him with his best chance yet. He won four races in 2026 and is now ninth on the all-time wins list with 64.
And if he does manage to go out on top with the Bill France Cup at Homestead-Miami Speedway next November, four days before his 47th birthday, he'd be doing it in Progressive colors, as the company's 24-race deal includes eight of the 10 races on next year's Chase schedule, including the final six races of the season.
“It has truly been a perfect pairing on and off the racetrack, and I have enjoyed getting to know and interact with so many members of the Progressive team. Plus, the blue car with the huge Progressive P on the hood is a staple of NASCAR races now, and I am proud to be the one behind the wheel representing them.”
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