Amid Grave Danger of Embarrassment, Dale Earnhardt Jr Hooked on “S**t Talking” Denny Hamlin’s Championship Fate

In the high-octane world of NASCAR, Denny Hamlin has unapologetically embraced the role of the sport’s resident villain, and he’s thriving in the spotlight. Last weekend’s Bristol race was a perfect stage for his theatrics. As he took the checkered flag in his #11 Toyota, the chorus of boos from the crowd seemed to fuel his fire. Hamlin‘s post-race interview on the front stretch took audacity to new heights as he boldly proclaimed, “I beat your favorite driver—all of them.”

This brazen statement sent shockwaves through the community and the clip quickly went viral on social media. Even racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr couldn’t resist weighing in on the controversy. In a recent episode of his podcast, The Dale Jr. Download, Junior shared his thoughts on Hamlin’s antics and the unfolding drama.

Dale Earnhardt Jr gives the larger perspective on the controversial Denny Hamlin  

In NASCAR, it’s no secret that money talks. Marketing prowess can transform a driver from a mere racer into a household brand. There are two proven paths to achieving that coveted status: one, dominating the track with championship wins and an impressive tally of checkered flags, and two, becoming a polarizing figure whose every word and move commands the headlines.

Enter Denny Hamlin, a Virginia native who’s mastered both strategies. Despite the absence of championship titles, Hamlin boasts an impressive 51 race wins. What sets him apart, however, is his penchant for audacious statements and bold on-track maneuvers as Dale Jr remarked, “Either Denny’s continuing to s**t talk and hype his success, or if it does go bad, the whole fan base gets riled up in enjoying his failure, whatever, right? I mean, and he knows he’s setting himself up one way or another. And he’s fine with it.”

Drawing parallels to the 2018 Martinsville showdown, where Joey Logano emerged victorious while Martin Truex Jr fumed with defiance. Truex Jr famously declared, “He may have won the battle, but he ain’t winning the damn war.” Dale Earnhardt Jr weighed in, noting the striking similarity between the Martinsville drama and the ongoing Hamlin saga, highlighting how both Truex Jr and Hamlin had brilliantly crafted promotional narratives around themselves.

Junior added, “In that moment, Truex really believed that, and he said a cliché that resonated with fans. In that moment, for the next 24 hours, that was what fans talked about. It’s not whether you liked it or hated it, it did get everybody’s attention. Martin did a promo in that moment; that’s what it’s all about.”

Read more: “They’re a Red Flag” – Another Joe Gibbs Racing Driver Gets Nod Over Denny Hamlin as Insider Dissects Their Season

“And you ain’t gonna remember sh*t from that Cup race the other night, but you gonna remember what Denny said on the front straightaway when he got out.” Nodding in agreement, podcast co-host Mike Davis added, “You do run a risk of that backfiring on you, but the key is to not care.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s call for authenticity

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Through it all, Junior voiced his enthusiastic support for the spectacle, declaring, “More of that, please.” Earnhardt’s stance does not come as a surprise, as NASCAR has thrived on drama from its very inception.

Junior went on to appreciate Hamlin’s unwavering commitment to his persona and he encouraged to grid to also follow suit. The hall of famer harkening back to his 2 decades in the NASCAR cockpit stressed the need for drivers to fully embrace the moment, giving fans an authentic glimpse of their true selves, especially during those front straightaway interviews—a tradition that has its fair share of haters among fans.

In Dale’s words, “More of that, please. All of that from all our drivers. Like, get into the moment, live this thing to the fullest, give us your true, genuine self in those moments, that front straightaway interview where the people—some fans don’t love it, some fans want the driver to not go to the front straightaway and do the interview, but as long as it’s here, while it’s here, like that is the moment, man, to really let it go and tell us what exactly is going on upstairs.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Bubba Wallace Exposes Boss Denny Hamlin’s Black Lie In Pocono Feud

In Junior’s final verdict, he left no doubt as he claimed, “Pretty awesome stuff.” As Hamlin continues to embrace his role as NASCAR’s villain, one thing is for sure: he’s keeping fans, and the media, on the edge of their seats. Will Hamlin clinch the championship this year, or will he face yet another heartbreak?