“Crying About It and Not Doing Nothing” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Impressed by the New Denny Hamlin

In a nail-biting showdown at Pocono on Sunday, Denny Hamlin secured a milestone 50th Cup victory, but not without stirring up a storm of controversy among fans. The 42-year-old may have got Toyota their 600th win, but his on-track clash with race leader Kyle Larson added a layer of drama and fan displeasure to the mix, which has now become a defining feature of Hamlin’s career.

In a recent Dirty Mo Media podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr made waves with his candid assessment of Denny Hamlin’s recent evolution on the racetrack. Earnhardt Jr’s comments highlighted the significance of authenticity in engaging fans and sparked a heated debate within the racing community.

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s candid critique: Denny Hamlin’s transformation from being a complainer to a champion?

In what can only be described as a daring and decisive maneuver, Denny Hamlin made a pass on Larson leaving fans buzzing and pundits divided. While the specifics of the bold move were not elaborated upon in the podcast, it left a lasting impression on Dale Earnhardt Jr.

During the podcast, the 2014 Daytona 500 winner stated, “For the last 2 and 1/2 years, or however long, Denny’s been getting run over and crying about it and not doing nothing, he is sorta changed a little bit.”

Hearing this, Mike Davis interjected and said, “Seems like doing something now!”

Even Dale Jr didn’t hold back and said, “Seems like he is doing something now, right?”

This then led Davis to remember, “Ever since we started making jokes about ‘Denny’s list’.”

As a bottom line, recent events indicate a noticeable shift in Hamlin’s approach to racing. And it was this that led Jr to ask the question, “Is that the difference maker in Denny becoming a champion or not?”

Dale Jr’s remarks shed light on Hamlin’s transformation and underscored the authenticity that sets NASCAR apart from other sports. As Dale pointed out, the sport’s ability to keep fans engaged parallels the electric atmosphere of the ’90s, an era which will always be there in racing enthusiasts’ memories.

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While some celebrated his victory, others couldn’t ignore past incidents and fueled the backlash. With a nonchalant response to the criticism, Hamlin stood firm as the dust settled.

Unyielding in victory: Denny Hamlin brushes off fan backlash

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The drama unfolded on a restart with only seven laps remaining. Seizing the opportunity, Hamlin made a daring move, shoving Larson up the track and into the wall to claim the lead. He successfully held off a fierce challenge from Tyler Reddick, eventually crossing the finish line to the crowd’s roar, but that wasn’t all cheers.

The intensity of the backlash against Hamlin was undoubtedly heightened by his history with fans, particularly since his well-publicized on-track incident with Larson back in Kansas. However, this latest incident seemed to fan the flames even more. Despite the outcry, Hamlin was unyielding in his response, brushing off the criticism. “I mean, I’m just too old to care. Had I gotten another 20 years ahead of me, I get it. Fandom doesn’t give me trophies. Fandom doesn’t do the job for me,” Hamlin boldly stated in the post-race interview.

READ MORE: “I’ve Been on the Sh*t End” – Denny Hamlin Plays the Victim as NASCAR Community Is Furious Following Kyle Larson Altercation

Hamlin’s nonchalant attitude towards the backlash may be because of the sweet taste of victory, as his win was indeed a monumental one for multiple reasons. It was his seventh at Pocono, making him the winningest driver on the track. The milestone win solidified Hamlin’s place in racing history regardless of the fans’ sentiments.