The Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway has sparked a heated debate among fans. While many rallied behind Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano following their dramatic encounter during the race’s final lap, others felt that the backlash against them was excessive. It was only a matter of time before one of the drivers decided to push back against the relentless trolling. Denny Hamlin took the initiative, responding to his critics with sharp remarks that reignited the discussion.
Denny Hamlin knows how to stand up to his critics.
Hamlin was quick to respond to the victor of the Richmond race. Austin Dillon, driving his Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, aggressively maneuvered through the field, putting other drivers at risk. Both Joey Logano from Team Penske and Denny Hamlin from Joe Gibbs Racing found themselves caught in the chaos, ultimately leading to their wrecks as Dillon claimed the victory. After the race, Logano expressed his outrage, labeling Dillon’s actions as “a piece of crap.” Meanwhile, Hamlin criticized NASCAR’s officiating, questioning whether the sport could maintain its credibility in light of ongoing systemic issues.
NASCAR fan and writer for The Athletic Motorsports, Jeff Gluck, recently shared his thoughts on a compilation video that poked fun at drivers like Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin. The video showcased moments where these racers collided with others, causing wrecks and maneuvering through the chaos. Accompanied by the caption, “In honor of #JoeyLogano and #DennyHamlin b*tching about being wrecked for a win… I present to you a montage of both of them doing the exact same thing,” Gluck reposted it, highlighting the irony in their complaints. He remarked, “If you think the incidents in this video are the same as what happened on Sunday night, you might not know racing as well as you think you do.”
This sparked a lively debate, with Gluck at the forefront. One critic countered, stating, “I disagree with you @jeff_gluck – wrecking is still wrecking. And the two biggest offenders in the #NASCAR garage, whether I think they are great people out of the car or not, are @joeylogano & @dennyhamlin.” This fan suggested that the two drivers’ complaints after the Richmond Raceway incident were hypocritical.
Denny Hamlin, however, was not about to let this drama slide. Perhaps pushed too far by the critics, he responded with a sharp jab at the situation, saying, “Lol. What a joke.” His brief yet pointed comment resonated, igniting further discussion among those involved in the online fray.
The ongoing clash between the critics and Denny Hamlin is far from over. Many have voiced their opinions about Hamlin, with some suggesting that his campaign against Austin Dillon and the wrecking incidents might be a strategy to deflect attention from his own missteps. One skeptic put it bluntly: “Denny will complain endlessly about the injustice he faced at Richmond, only to race Austin dirty a few times and claim he’s justified. He’s just a dirty driver looking for a reason to race that way.”
The reasoning behind such criticisms of Denny Hamlin is quite valid. This isn’t the first time he’s found himself in a controversial situation. His racing career is dotted with incidents that raise questions about the authenticity of his current stance.
Recently, at the Phoenix Raceway, the so-called crusader showed he could be the villain too. Hamlin openly admitted to wrecking Ross Chastain, who was on the verge of winning at the Tricky Triangle, as retaliation for a previous altercation. As a result, he was penalized with a loss of 25 Cup series points and slapped with a $50,000 fine for his remarks. Additionally, he wrecked Kyle Larson during the same season at Pocono Raceway, where Larson, despite having the fastest car, ended up finishing 21st due to the incident, while Hamlin celebrated a victory.
Alongside these events, Hamlin found himself in a confrontation with Alex Bowman. This altercation stemmed from an accidental wreck caused by Bowman during a race in Martinsville. Denny Hamlin held a grudge against the Hendrick Motorsports driver and retaliated by taking him out on the streets of Chicago. Hamlin’s actions sent Bowman into a spin, causing the #48 car to lose both speed and momentum.
What do you think about Denny Hamlin’s latest remarks? Do these incidents reveal a different side of him? Share your thoughts in the comments.
