It’s no secret that Denny Hamlin is one of the most outspoken drivers in all of NASCAR today. The 43-year-old is also the co-owner of the 23XI Racing team alongside Michael Jordan. Given Hamlin’s unapologetic nature, one can assume that he might say something as a team owner during important negotiations that might not sit well with the other party. However, it turns out that Michael Jordan’s manager lets him have his way in important business discussions.
Hamlin has gotten into a lot of controversies in the 2023 season, most of them on track. From tussling with Kyle Larson to riling up fans after winning in Bristol, the driver of Joe Gibbs Racing‘s #11 Camry can be a loose cannon at times. However, it would be amiss if one didn’t recognize all the good work he has done as a team owner. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why he has free rein.
Denny Hamlin admits to ruffling some feathers in ongoing NASCAR negotiations
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Speaking on the latest episode of The Dale Jr. Download podcast, Denny Hamlin revealed how Michael Jordan’s long-time manager, Curtis Polk, gives him the freedom to speak his mind in important negotiations. As part of the Race Team Alliance, 23XI Racing is currently in a negotiation with NASCAR and Hamlin is bluntly putting forth his opinions.
As far as Curtis Polk is concerned, he does not control Hamlin‘s words and actions. “There are certain things like the negotiating committee going on with NASCAR, and I’m saying things publicly on those negotiations or whatever it might be. There were many times when Curtis would say, I don’t control Denny. I think in a way, he’s saying that, I’m not telling him to say anything but I’m not stopping him either.
“There are some important things that we need to get settled, that we need to have better on the team ownership side, so, he just kind of lets me go with that,” Hamlin revealed.
Dale Earnhardt Jr and Denny Hamlin also spoke about how the Actions Detrimental podcast has been a platform for the JGR star to be even more open about his views. It turns out that Polk himself wanted to be on the show just to rant about his frustrations.
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Michael Jordan’s manager may vent frustrations on Actions Detrimental
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It is definitely a page out of Denny Hamlin’s book. The Joe Gibbs Racing star is anyway not one to hold anything back and now with a platform that reaches thousands, he can be his true self completely. Somewhere down the line, Michael Jordan’s manager also wants to do the same thing perhaps.
“I would love to have Curtis come on and there’s been times when he has been so frustrated he says, I want to come on. For those who don’t know, Curtis Polk has been Michael Jordan’s manager for decades and decades,” Hamlin added.
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He may be outspoken and blunt but Denny Hamlin has done a fantastic job so far as a co-owner of 23XI Racing. It will be interesting to see how the team grows in the future after a transformative 2023.
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