Denny Hamlin is no stranger to fan criticism, but this time, it came from an unexpected place—his own teammate’s success. After Christopher Bell secured back-to-back wins, some NASCAR fans turned their attention to Hamlin, questioning his own performance and even implying that he wasn’t doing enough compared to his Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) teammate.
Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner and one of NASCAR’s most consistent drivers, has built a reputation as both a fierce competitor and a polarizing figure in the sport. While Bell’s recent dominance has been widely celebrated, some fans saw it as a sign that Hamlin might be losing his edge. Social media was buzzing with reactions, with some suggesting that Bell was now JGR’s top driver, while others mocked Hamlin for not delivering the same results.
It’s not uncommon for NASCAR fans to stir up rivalries, even within the same team. With Bell proving he can close out races and Hamlin still seeking his next victory, the comparisons were inevitable. Some critics pointed out that despite Hamlin’s years of experience and strong performances, he still lacks a Cup Series championship—something Bell could potentially achieve before him.
Hamlin, never one to shy away from controversy, addressed the situation head-on. He acknowledged Bell’s success and praised his teammate’s performance, but he also made it clear that he’s still in the fight. In typical Hamlin fashion, he brushed off the negativity, reminding fans that the season is long and that his own moments of triumph are far from over.
While Bell’s back-to-back wins have certainly shaken up the NASCAR landscape, they’ve also added fuel to the ongoing debate about where Hamlin stands in the pecking order at JGR. For now, he remains focused on proving that he’s still a title contender. Whether he can silence the critics with a victory of his own remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Hamlin thrives under pressure, and the challenge ahead might be exactly what he needs to reclaim the spotlight.
