Following the recent wedding of Tyler Reddick and his longtime girlfriend Alexa DeLeon, Bubba Wallace couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease Denny Hamlin about his own future wedding plans. Wallace, who got married last year and is soon to become a father, turned the spotlight on Hamlin, the wealthy boss of 23XI Racing, worth an estimated $60 million, and the last single man among their group.
Hamlin’s relationship with his girlfriend, whom he proposed to last January, has been a topic of much speculation and interest among fans and the NASCAR community. The couple first met in 2007 at a Charlotte Bobcats game, where Hamlin was struck by her charm. She was one of the Lady Cats, the cheerleaders for the team, and their connection quickly blossomed into a long-term relationship. Over the years, they have built a life together and welcomed two daughters: Taylor James, born in 2013, and Molly Gold, born in 2017.
Despite their long history, the couple has faced their share of ups and downs. Rumors about their relationship status have circulated for years, and they briefly broke up in 2021. During that period, Jordan Fish, Hamlin’s girlfriend, publicly expressed her frustrations and dissatisfaction with Hamlin in a series of social media posts. She accused Hamlin of failing to be the partner and father their children deserved, stating, “I hope everyone sees you as the real person you are.” Her posts sparked a flurry of speculation and concern among fans and the media, but they were soon deleted, and Fish’s social media presence vanished.
Despite this tumultuous period, the couple reconciled and were seen together at the 2022 NASCAR Awards Dinner, suggesting that they had mended their relationship. Hamlin’s proposal last January seemed to put an end to the speculation, but they have yet to set a wedding date, leaving fans and friends, like Bubba Wallace, eager for updates.
In a playful and congratulatory post directed at Tyler Reddick, Wallace shared a group photo with the caption: “Welcome to the married club @TylerReddick. @dennyhamlin, when is the wedding?” This light-hearted jab not only celebrated Reddick’s new marriage but also highlighted Hamlin’s prolonged engagement.
On the professional front, Denny Hamlin has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with NASCAR’s next-gen cars. In the latest episode of his podcast, Actions Detrimental, Hamlin did not hold back his criticism. He compared the next-gen cars unfavorably to the Xfinity Series cars, highlighting significant issues with their performance. According to Hamlin, the cars struggle with passing and handling in traffic, which he sees as a major flaw. He explained, “We all know these next-gen cars are terrible in traffic. These are the worst cars in traffic in NASCAR. When we designed the car, we designed a car to be in the worst traffic ever. […] Before this car was even launched, I asked them three times, ‘Are you sure it’s right?’ Before they launched the car in December, they put it on the track with another car and said, ‘Oh my God, we are.’ No kidding, it’ll take two years to figure that out. God, that’s so frustrating.”
Hamlin’s frustrations are understandable, given his competitive nature and desire to excel. Despite these professional challenges, he has had a strong season, with three wins already under his belt and four races remaining in the regular season. The question now is whether Hamlin can translate this success into breaking his championship drought.
As one of NASCAR’s most experienced and successful drivers, Hamlin’s insights into the sport and its technical aspects are highly valued. His candid comments about the next-gen cars reflect his deep knowledge and commitment to improving the sport. Fans and fellow drivers alike will be watching closely to see how he and his team navigate these challenges and whether he can finally clinch the championship that has eluded him for so long.
In summary, Denny Hamlin finds himself at an intriguing crossroads both personally and professionally. His long-term relationship is back on track with an impending marriage, while his career continues to be marked by significant challenges and high expectations. With the NASCAR season in full swing, all eyes will be on Hamlin to see if he can overcome the hurdles and achieve the success he has been striving for throughout his illustrious career.
