Denny Hamlin is a name that has echoed on tracks but not for the right reasons for many years. Be it his inability to mark the Cup Series trophy for almost 20 years now or his nonchalant remarks, each of them has added to his infamous aura. But it seems as though in the past few years he has actually changed his personality which has impacted the way people perceive him. 

NASCAR drivers hold a special place in the hearts of fans, who often jump at the chance to interact with their favorite racing stars. The thrill of meeting these high-speed heroes off the track is exciting, and some drivers go above and beyond to make these moments memorable. Here are some of the drivers who have etched a place in the hearts of fans, and shockingly enough, Hamlin is one of them.

One of the most common reasons why Denny Hamlin has often been accorded such disastrous titles like “The Choker” is because he is known to attack drivers and ground them without any reason. However, the story certainly did not unfold like this. 

Hamlin was quite liked during his initial days. Fans thought of him as the underdog who climbed to the top tier along with elite drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr. Whether it’s his lack of championship or his critique of NASCAR, Hamlin has grown to accept the negative perception people have of him. Speaking of how people have perceived him over the years, Hamlin said, “I didn’t have anything handed to me. I had to work really, really hard for it. I worked a blue-collar job just like most everyone else has…don’t know how many people in the field of NASCAR drivers right now actually had to work fast food or had to work as a welder or a fabricator in their dad’s shop”. 

However, there has been a shift in how people perceive Denny Hamlin over the years. Much of it comes from how he has owned up and become more accepting of his stance as a driver. With years of experience on tracks and showing up for various Cup series races, Hamlin has finally managed to showcase himself better. However, it seems not only Hamlin but even some other drivers like Bubba Wallace, and Brad Keselowski have also entered the list. 

Fans bring forth their list of favorite NASCAR drivers

Fans have their favorites when it comes to drivers that they would love to hang out with. While some of these names are from on-track preferences, some fans also recount real-life instances of them meeting with drivers. One name that has surfaced, most likely because of the enigmatic personality he houses, is none other than Bubba Wallace. Multiple fans have recounted how he has been cordial with them. One fan took to Reddit and recounted an experience that read, “I briefly talked to Bubba about iRacing for what felt like 1 minute in the KC area before he had to leave. Seemed humble.”

Resonating with the same feeling about Bubba Wallace, another fan shared, “I saw Bubba Wallace at a grocery store in Charlotte yesterday. I told him how cool it was to meet him in person – and honestly, the whole thing kind of went off the rails from there, involved a very bizarre checkout experience with a lot of candy bars, I don’t really want to get into it right now.” While this instance left the fan confused Wallace has been known to welcome all fans, even animals. On one occasion, Wallace spent time with a little dog who met him in a grocery store. Coincidentally, the dog’s name was also Bubba, a fact Wallace found funny!

Given how Denny Hamlin has been able to build a great personality off the court, a fan said, “I know people love to shit on Hamlin, but to me (and I say this as a new fan of the sport, so maybe he was more of a b—–d in the past) he seems like a pretty nice guy, who’s just really focused on competing/winning, and who 100% embraced the role of heel he’s been given.” However, it’s not Wallace or Hamlin alone on the list. 

A fan also recounted his experience of meeting with Brad Keselowski and how the encounter was super nice. The fan said, “I met Brad Keselowski while he was roaming the campgrounds in New Hampshire. Couldn’t have been cooler, and just made me feel important.” Keselowski’s fan interactions are no secret. He makes it a point to meet and greet as many fans as possible. Ever since he started visiting these campgrounds, the interactions with fans have only increased. 

And finally, some other drivers who have made it to this list are Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson. A fan shared his stance on meeting with multiple drivers. He said, “7. Met Chase Briscoe in the pits at the ChiliBowl this year. Super nice guy. Met Larson and Stenhouse the same week. Met Blaney at a dirt track. Very nice. Maybe the most surprising was Hamlin. Met him at his 23Xl shop and he was super nice and engaging. He took a few minutes and had a one-on-one conversation with my 10-yr old daughter. And not in a condescending adult-to-kid way, but a legitimate, I’m interested in your question and will give a good answer kind of way.” Hamlin’s adorable moment with a young fan should be no surprise. After all, Denny Hamlin is father to a girl who turned 11 earlier this year. 

These heartfelt and often humorous anecdotes showcase the human side of NASCAR’s biggest stars, proving that behind the helmets and high-speed action are drivers who leave lasting impressions with their kindness, humility, and approachability.