“He Was Polarising” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Drops Controversial Verdict on Denny Hamlin’s Instigating Antics Despite NASCAR World’s Vocal Disapproval

Move over Kyle Busch, someone is trying to steal your title of most hated NASCAR driver’. For a long time, Busch was not particularly well-liked among the fans for a variety of reasons. Some of it stemmed from his rather abrasive personality and don’t-care attitude. Others disliked him for the fact that he was hugely successful and one of the most winning drivers in NASCAR. Now, it appears that he has some competition for the most hated NASCAR driver, and his rival is none other than former teammate Denny Hamlin.

The Bristol Motor Speedway race saw one such visual. The No. 11 not only grabbed the most-awaited win but also witnessed the most awkward fan reactions. While at the JGR pit stop, there were excitement and celebratory moments, but a few yards away, people discerned otherwise.

READ MORE: Amid Grave Danger of Embarrassment, Dale Earnhardt Jr Hooked on “S**t Talking” Denny Hamlin’s Championship Fate

Dale Earnhardt Jr. compared Denny Hamlin to wrestlers

The ex-NASCAR driver confessed that there are so few personalities in the sport. He cited the example of wrestling and admitted that it is memorable because of their matches and their promotions. In light of this, Dale Earnhardt Jr. opened up about the #11 driver’s recent antics.

Junior said on his podcast, “There is only one thing I want to talk about: Denny and his words in his post-race interview. Denny says, ‘I beat your favorite driver’. They go, ‘Which one’ and he says, ‘All of them’. 

“As hated as Denny has become, for a portion of the NASCAR fan base, his efforts to really lean into playing the heel or whatever you want to call it. I’ll just say this, the guy just won the race, he’s feeling good, in a great mood. Even then, to be put on the spot in front of 100,000 in attendance and a couple of million watching at home. To have the perfect comeback or the perfect thing to say”, added further.

Especially since they can hook their audience with just a few words, say the right thing at the right moment, and play a character. According to him, Denny Hamlin nailed the role perfectly because something had to carry the 2023 season.

Amid the various simultaneous storylines playing out, someone needed to stand up and take on a hero or villain role. This was particularly critical in the final few weeks of the championship. Dale Jr. admitted, “In that moment, he was polarizing. Whether you love him or hate him, he got your attention. That was a masterclass in what we need our drivers to be doing.”

What else did Dale Earnhardt Jr. say?

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Earnhardt Jr. concluded, “We don’t all need them to act like Denny, but we need them to take advantage of those moments and say something that you’re never going to forget. Say something that belongs on a damn T-shirt! My best advice to guys who are like, ‘I just want to get out of that interview. I just want to get to Victory Lane with my team. I really don’t care about giving that interview’. When you’re in those moments, say exactly what’s in your heart.”

For a long time, a driver like Kyle Busch filled that role. If you just scour YouTube, there are bound to be compilations of his heated moments, press conferences, and more.

WATCH THIS STORY: “Ross [Chastain] Manipulated It” – NASCAR Insider Put the Sport Under Heavy Scrutiny, Proclaiming They “Screwed up Denny’s Penalty”

Now, people seem to love Busch, and Hamlin has replaced him as the new villain you love to hate. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has seemingly embraced it and taken to it like a duck to water.