“Every Single Year We Hear This”: NASCAR Fandom Slams Denny Hamlin as He Speaks About His Championship Chances

Engines are set to turn red hot once again as NASCAR prepares for its first playoff race. 10 races remain. 16 drivers fight for the title. Every camp will go into Darlington on Sunday with the hopes of starting on the right track and winning the race. But the first challenge is perhaps the toughest to come. Winning at the famed oval is no mean feat. But facing it are the best drivers of the year. As the face-offs come and go, the toughest of the racers will remain in the fray to see the season finale at Phoenix. But which of the drivers have the best shot at crossing the hurdles that are lined up ahead?

For one, Joe Gibbs Racing star Denny Hamlin thinks he and his team have got what it takes. Speaking to the media, he talked about his chances and seemed positive about them. But followers of the sport don’t exactly seem to consider him a favorite for the championship.

Denny Hamlin believes he has what it takes to be a champion

At a pivotal point in the season, the playoff drivers met on Thursday at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina for NASCAR’s media day. As they discussed their seasons and future plans, Denny Hamlin got into a back-and-forth conversation with reporters. Amidst talking about his unsigned contracts with Joe Gibbs Racing and for 23XI Racing, a team he co-owns, the driver got to answer questions about his chances for the championship, going ahead. Denny has raced in the top tier of NASCAR for 17 years now. Despite accumulating various accolades including 50 Cup Series wins during this period, a championship has always seemed to escape his clutches. As he finds himself in the playoffs once again, he has yet another shot at making it.

In the video that Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass shared on his “X” handle, Denny can be seen sharing his thoughts on the same. In his words, “We are stronger than we’ve been. Road courses have got speed now and in short tracks, our cars… If we get to the final 4, I’m not worried about being in a deficit. I think the pit crew is better, they’re coming into its own. So yeah, all the pieces are there. Just no excuses for sure.”

Among the list of problems that troubled Denny was his pit crew. Acknowledging that such issues were coming to a resolution, he appeared to be confident that he has got all the pieces to solve the puzzle. Despite the optimism from the experienced driver, racing fans did not seem to fall behind his words of promise.

Watch Story: Denny Hamlin’s Heartfelt Farewell to NASCAR Legend

Fans do not trust the promising words from Denny Hamlin

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Parallel to what Denny said, all the problems that once plagued his performance could in fact be coming to an end. But one crucial issue he hasn’t yet worked out is the outlook that fans have on him. The driver has always entangled himself in situations, both on and off the track, that have gotten him into problems with fellow drivers or the fans. Most recently, his Pocono win that came as a result of pushing Kyle Larson into the wall was met with a lot of fury. The action ended up with him getting booed as he entered the victory lane. The current opinion that surrounds his name was reflected in the responses that Bob Pockrass’s video received too. This one fan had expressed frustration with his driver’s promises every year.

As more responses followed suit, one fan tweeted, “No. He can’t compete with Truex”. Martin Truex Jr has put up a strong display all season and stands ahead of Denny Hamlin on the table. The intensity of the contest between these two experienced drivers is going to be entertainment at its best, if nothing else. For another follower, Denny’s routine with his words was starting to get transparent. Noting the driver’s attitude before and after seasons, he said, “Denny: ‘No excuses’. Also Denny: ‘Bad luck is the only reason why I haven’t won a championship”. 

A fan of the Hendrick Motorsports camp too, jumped on the bandwagon to comment. He pitched, “Not a chance….why? Because he has a p**s poor attitude, and always stumbles in the chase…plus I think a few Hendrick boys will have something to say about it before it’s all said and done….”

With fans not seeming to line up behind Denny Hamlin’s command, the climb only gets steeper for the driver. With uncertainty looming on his future, he will be hoping that none of the problems that have pricked him all season return to trouble him again. The 42-year-old will be seen next on Sunday, driving the #11 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. It is not going to be long before we get to see if the “Lady in Black” lends him her favor and gets him the support of fans. Check out EssentiallySports for further updates on the race weekend!

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