Denny Hamlin, known for his controversial antics on the NASCAR circuit, has earned a reputation as one of the sport’s most polarizing drivers. His heated rivalries with the likes of Ross Chastain and Chase Elliott, among others, have fueled the fire. This tactical approach on the track has drawn criticism not only from passionate NASCAR fans but also from fellow drivers and crew members. 

The recent Pocono Race event showcased the depth of animosity towards him, even as he secured his 50th NASCAR Cup Series victory and his 7th win at Pocono. Spectators booed him off the stage, showing their strong disapproval toward the Joe Gibbs Racing driver. Despite the trolling, Hamlin chose to bask in his glory unapologetically as he revealed the track where he received the least favorable reception from the audience in a recent interview.

Which race track’s audience showered Denny Hamlin with the most boos and humiliation?

Denny Hamlin’s knack for on-track collisions is widely known among NASCAR fans. Yet, his one rival, Ross Chastain, consistently garners admiration from the crowd by retaliating against Hamlin in equal measure, unlike some others, such as Kyle Larson.

In a recent thrilling NASCAR race at Pocono, the tension was palpable as several incidents unfolded simultaneously. However, one standout moment was Kyle Larson’s collision with the outside wall, seemingly triggered by the intense “aero-bubble” effect between his and Denny Hamlin’s fast-moving cars with only seven laps to go. The incident stirred up the Pocono audience, which showed no mercy towards Hamlin.

In a recent interview with Rubbin is Racing, Hamlin was questioned about the track where he faced the most boos and humiliation, to which, he quickly responded, “Probably, Martinsville! I mean simply because the fans were closest to the race track there, tight environment. I would say, Martinsville, and that kind of really stemmed from the Chase Elliott 2017 thing.”

Undoubtedly, sparks flew during the 2017 Martinsville race as a heated altercation unfolded. Elliott barged into Hamlin who was in utter denial, much like at the post-race interview at Pocono. The former appeared to have said, “You wrecked me! You wrecked me! You know you wrecked me!“

With a mere three laps to go, Denny Hamlin’s contact with Chase Elliott on a turn led to Elliott spinning out, prompting an infuriated audience to unleash a torrent of boos upon him. The repercussions of that incident continue to resonate with the passionate Martinsville audience to this day.

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Hamlin once again stood his ground, defending his controversial move against HMS Star

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In talks with NBC after the 2017 debacle with Elliot, Hamlin said this in his defense, “I got in the back of him and he spun. I’m trying to get a race win. Everybody wrecked everyone at the end. It was complete (expletive). It was a mess at the end. Everyone was doing the exact same thing. I hate it for his team, but this was a ticket to Homestead. I’m not saying I wrecked him on purpose but I got in the back of him and he spun out.” Does this ring a bell in the current context? Apparently, it does!

Despite triumphing at The Tricky Triangle and conquering all the challenges the track presented, Hamlin faced an unapologetic chorus of boos from spectators after wrecking Kyle Larson. This incident reminded everyone of Hamlin’s past move against Ross Chastain just a year prior.

In response to Kyle Larson’s open call-out, the JGR driver swiftly fired back, reminding Larson and the audience of his actions towards Bubba Wallace back in 2022 in Las Vegas. When the reporter asked Hamlin to give his take on Larson’s point of view about the move being akin to what Hamlin did to Chastain last year, Hamlin came back with a swift reply, saying, “Same move he made to Bubba. Did he mention that or no?”

Crashing, wrecking, and bumping into each other’s cars for a competitive edge have been ingrained in NASCAR’s DNA since its inception. Nevertheless, undeniably, the Pocono Race embodies the very essence of what NASCAR fans cherish most about the sport.

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