Overview
- Hamlin said he is not fully locked in yet and expects to be a little behind after being away from the garage since November, though he believes he can catch up quickly.
- He returned to the Joe Gibbs Racing shop Thursday following a FOX Sports preseason photo shoot, marking his first visit since late last season.
- The 45-year-old confirmed plans to race the exhibition Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 1 and then the Daytona 500 on Feb. 15.
- He acknowledged his father's death and his mother's injuries from the Dec. 28 house fire, said his mother is getting better, and thanked the NASCAR community for its support.
- He declined to discuss details of his father's death, noting his father was terminally ill at the time of the fire, and said he is OK as to be expected.