Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin is probably the most hated driver from the Cup Series garage. However, a throwback scheme paying tribute to the late Roy Hendrick has seen a change of heart by the fans for once. Joe Gibbs Racing, in collaboration with Sport Clips, will feature a Flying 11 paint scheme, paying homage to the legendary driver.

The Virginia race car driver passed away earlier this month at the age of 71. He was the son of Raymond Hendrick, who honed his craft racing at a short track, mainly in the Busch Series. Ray is first on the all-time winner’s chart at Martinsville Speedway with 20 wins to his name. Roy continued his father’s legacy and won 24 races at Chesterfield County Track in just one season. Also added three straight NASCAR Track Championships from 1989 to 1991.

Roy used to bring out his father’s famed Flying 11 car to Martinsville Speedway that would serve the role of a pace car before races. Not a lot of NASCAR fans know about the father-son duo. Therefore, JGR and Denny Hamlin will enlighten the NASCAR world about Ray and Roy Hendrick’s contribution to the sport at Darlington Raceway this weekend.

“The No. 11 @SportClips Toyota will feature the Flying 11 this weekend to pay homage to the late Roy Hendrick (top). Hendrick was a weekly competitor at Hamlin’s home track, Southside Speedway. The No. 11 Sport Clips team previously honored the Hendrick family, including Roy’s father, Ray Hendrick, by carrying the Flying 11 colors to victory lane in the 2017 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.” JGR shared this via this X account.

Usually, Denny Hamlin and his sponsor Sport Clips have a rather basic paint scheme on the No. 11 car for most of the races. But this new tweak and changes made to honor Roy Hendrick have certainly garnered a lot of positivity towards the team and the driver.

Fans approve of Hamlin’s new paint scheme for the Southern 500 race

Red and white Sport Clips paint schemes are nothing too fancy. But the Flying 11 tribute car certainly has caught the eyes of the race fans. And the flood of comments online makes it safe to say that it’s a hit. “Beautiful car. I don’t know if it’s popular or not but I love when there’s extra stuff in/around the number. Gives it more character.”

It’s no secret that NASCAR fans do not appreciate Hamlin for his shenanigans and outspoken behavior. But even his haters seem to have given him a clean chit this time around just because of this new paint scheme. “Not a Dennis fan, but I approve.”

Meanwhile, one of Hamlin’s ardent fans was curious to know why sponsors deliver good-looking schemes only on special occasions. “I have yet to see a SportsClip scheme that I’ve hated. They really go all out for their throwback/tribute schemes. It’s honestly something that needs more appreciation, especially when you have sponsors that don’t even bother or do very little.”

We have seen some special paint schemes roll out this year. The Caitlin Clark scheme at Brickyard 400 on the No. 4 Ford, the vintage Busch Light scheme on the No. 1 Chevy, and who can forget the Terry Labonte special throwback scheme on the No. 5 car? But all this while, Denny Hamlin had his usual schemes, nothing too fancy. Therefore, the Flying 11 tribute is proving to be a hit among the race fans. “I don’t really care for most Denny schemes, but I like this one!”

Heck, some fans even went on to demand that Sport Clips should use this as their regular scheme for all the races. “This looks awesome and should be the normal sport clip scheme.”

The No. 11 team has been on the receiving end of things since the racing resumed after the Olympic break. But they can overturn their fortunes with this paint scheme and return to winning ways at Darlington.