Denny Hamlin Replaces “I Beat Your Favorite Driver,” Thanks to a NASCAR Fan

Denny Hamlin is all about an immersive experience. From proving his racing mettle for 20 years in the NASCAR Cup Series to owning 23XI Racing with NBA legend Michael Jordan, he has seemingly given fans all that they need to cheer for the veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver. Yet the controversial Hamlin has often been put in a negative light for aggressive driving and just downright “beating your favorite driver.”

Nevertheless, one thing is for sure: the Florida native has time and time again given the fans what they want—the excitement that the world has come to know today as NASCAR racing. From 3 Daytona 500 victories to viral celebrations, Denny does it all. However, before the Food City 500, he may have one more “celebratory” evolution to make, thanks to a NASCAR fan.

Denny Hamlin to “Slice Your Favorite Cucumber” at Bristol

Kenny Wallace, John Roberts, Denny Hamlin, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr graced the fans with some pre-race entertainment at the Bristol Motor Speedway, where the following events went down.

It was Kenny who raised the all-important discussion as he laid out the context. “So the Bristol Motor Speedway said one of you fans threw something and it never made it to your car. So I am delivering this…” To the laughter of members of the table as well as members of the audience, Hamlin was presented with a cold, crisp cucumber. Hamlin certainly saw the humor of the situation as he observed the cucumber with not a lot of surprise: “Nice, really, really nice.”

Just as Wallace was about to speak, a fan’s enthusiastic display stole his focus. The fan held aloft a cling-wrapped cucumber, sending waves of laughter crashing through the crowd. The legend pointed out with excitement, “What’s this? Hold on…” On the other side stood a big, bearded, wholesome member of the NASCAR community, introducing himself only as Mark. His antics now had everyone’s eyes as he stepped forward. With his cucumber(s), Denny Hamlin asked with a wry smile, “You’re the one who threw it?”

Mark stepped forward and Hamlin made a cheeky observation, “Oh.. You’re wearing a Kyle Larson shirt. Now I know why you’re upset…” as Mark walked almost twenty feet to claim his chance at interacting with these fabulous icons. The fan gestured that he was not a Larson fan, however. He asked Denny his own trivia question as the mic was put in front of him, “When you win. What do you get… from this place specifically?”

The #11 replied: “A sword”. Mark agreed as he explained his original thought with this next statement perfectly, as he said, “Kyle Busch won at… whatever… the guitar, he smashed it, gave everybody a piece.” He then provided a brilliant solution to Hamlin in need of a new celebration, raising the all-important cucumber as he iterated, “Slice it up! Give it to the crew..” Hamlin seemed to agree with the brilliant proposition from the NASCAR fan.

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Hamlin starts strong this week. Qualifying 3rd in Bristol after last week’s pole position at Phoenix puts him in a prime position to win Bristol one more time. Nicknamed “The Last Great Colosseum,” Bristol’s winners receive a sword-shaped trophy. Can Hamlin use his qualifying advantage to claim victory and “slice the cucumber” in question with his “gladius”?

What follows next will ultimately decide if the JGR contingent can manage to stay dominant in back-to-back “short track” races, after #20 Christopher Bell’s 7th career victory last week at Phoenix. Will Hamlin finally claim his inaugural Bill France trophy this year? Will Hamlin man the #11 for a long time? So many questions surround the controversial Denny. But one thing is sure. He will “beat your favorite driver” at least a few more times, but again will he do it while “slicing the cucumber” this time?

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