HMS’ Legendary Crew Chief Drops Shocking Denny Hamlin Claim in 7 Words

Denny Hamlin must be frustrated. With a career spanning over 17 years with one of the winningest teams in NASCAR, this man has achieved almost everything. But yes, ‘almost’ everything. That one word sums up his biggest misery and something that he craves the most. And this year, according to the number 11 team, could be a golden chance to get what this veteran driver deserves.

As you might have figured, it’s a Cup Series title. 51 wins, including triumphs at the Coca-Cola 600, Daytona 500, and the Southern 500; perhaps a future Hall of Famer, and yet Denny Hamlin does not have a championship to his name. However, this year could be that golden chance for Denny Hamlin. Alas! this opportunity of making it into the Grand Finale faded away when he suffered from a steering issue last weekend during the 4EVER 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Can anyone console Hamlin? Surely, his crew chief tried.

Hendrick Motorsports’ ex-crew chief stands with Denny Hamlin when everything seems to fall apart

Denny Hamlin is indeed an important name in the world of stock car racing. Over the years, he has raised himself to the level where he could be a future Hall of Famer. Although winning a Cup Series title is a dream for every top-tier NASCAR driver out there, perhaps Hamlin’s achievements in the arena of stockcar racing shine on their own, even without the aura of a Championship title.

The standard age of retirement from NASCAR is about in the late 40s. As of today, Hamlin is 42. Hence, it’s clear that Denny Hamlin will not have numerous opportunities to bag the ultimate honor. Therefore, he has vowed to not leave any stone unturned as he launches his shots at the coveted title. But it’s easier said than done.

Despite no fault of his, Denny Hamlin’s day came to an end on lap 236, as both his car and his hopes to get to the top 4 crashed. Moments later, on the pit road, the NBC Sports cameras caught his crew chief Chris Gabehart putting his arms around the dejected star and whispering a few words into his ears. What could Gabehart have said to Hamlin? One might wonder.

NBC Sports journalist Nate Ryan was one of them. In a conversation with veteran NASCAR personality Steve Letarte, Ryan enquired what Letarte would have told Hamlin if he were in the shoes of Chris Gabehart. Letarte said, “I’m letting him know that before you even have time for negativity to set in that we’re good, we’re moving forward. We’re on to Martinsville.”

He further continued with an authoritative tinge, “I would take ownership that we had an issue as the crew chief. Anything that happens on that race car is your responsibility even in these big corporations where you may not touch the parts.”

Steve Letarte felt like Denny had been very ‘bullish’ about his Championship claims this year and, being his crew chief, Letarte would have reminded him that they knew there would be setbacks and that nothing has changed. In a 7-word claim, Letarte explained, “Hall of Famer with a championship lacking.”

But, this statement of the 44-year-old did not prevent him from commenting how he doesn’t think that a championship is gonna define Denny Hamlin.

Watch this story: Denny Hamlin’s Sweet Family Time: Building an Ice Cream Truck with Daughter!

Interestingly, though, it appears that Denny Hamlin doesn’t quite like the system of inducting eligible candidates into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame. On that note, would Denny Hamlin be happy if he’s voted a Hall of Famer?

Denny Hamlin vehemently dissed the 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel

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NASCAR deemed Jimmie Johnson and his crew chief Chad Knaus part of the Class of 2024 inductees. As a matter of fact, even NASCAR stalwart Donnie Allison was one of the inductees. But it took many by surprise when arguably the greatest driver the sport has ever seen did not get a unanimous vote to join the Hall of Fame.

When 7-times Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson received 93% of the votes from a panel consisting of 57 members, including NASCAR executives, drivers, crew chiefs, reporters, and industry contributors, Denny Hamlin was furious. And he pulled no punches condemning the current system.

“Not unanimous. What a joke, a disgrace to one of the sport’s greatest ever. Make it public who said no and remove them from the voting panel,” Hamlin roared on Twitter. However, he didn’t stop at that.

He reposted his own tweet and wrote, “To be a panelist is a honor that should be taken seriously. What 4 people did today is make a joke of that honor and for what? It can only be a couple reasons a person would have to not give someone like Jimmie their vote.”

According to the 23XI co-owner, the reasons are:

“1. You don’t like them
2. You weren’t voted in unanimously and are repaying the favor.
3. You feel as though they will have other years to get in and wanna vote for someone in their final year of eligibility.
4. You voted for a “buddy” instead.
5. Haven’t watched a race in the last 20 years.”

Do you still think Denny Hamlin would rely on his future prospect of becoming a Hall of Famer in order to inscribe his name in the minds of motorsport enthusiasts? No wonder why he wishes to win a championship so bad.

Read more: Denny Hamlin Takes a Mean Jab At His Championship Drought As NASCAR Insider Hopes to “Eventually Get it Right”