Controversies combined with Denny Hamlin currently pretty much sum up NASCAR. While he’s fully embraced his role as the sport’s “villain” and wears it like a badge of honor, not everyone is on board with this character choice. After all, teams thrive on fan loyalty, and being the bad guy might dent a team’s cherished reputation with sponsors and audiences.

Enter Jeff Gordon, a prominent figure in the racing arena, and the Hendrick Motorsports racing team, who recently voiced his thoughts on Hamlin’s penchant for stirring the pot. However, after a video surfaced on Foreplay Golf, fans seem to be urging Gordon to take a leaf out of Hamlin’s playbook. It looks like in the world of NASCAR, being bad might just be the new good!

Golfing fun and banter with Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. recently traded their racing helmets for golf caps, engaging in a lighthearted banter on the green. This camaraderie stands in stark contrast to the criticism Hamlin has recently weathered.

After a spat with fellow racers like Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain, Hamlin found himself at the epicenter of racing drama. While he took the criticisms with grace, considering them part and parcel of the sport, Jeff Gordon had a different take. Speaking to SiriusXM, Gordon made it clear that he didn’t appreciate such sideshows for any serious racing contender, especially not for a representative of Hendrick Motorsports.

Gordon pointedly remarked, “Denny is trying to create buzz. He wants people talking, forming opinions, whether they’re for or against him. While I respect his approach, I’d never want that for our drivers. It’s too much of a sideshow, too much of a distraction.”

Yet, the recent video of Hamlin, Wallace, Stenhouse Jr., and Blaney unwinding and expressing themselves openly on the golf course seems to have resonated with fans. Contrasting this genuine interaction with the often restrained media responses from Hendrick Motorsports’ stars like Kyle Larson or Chase Elliott, fans had a clear message for Gordon: Perhaps it’s time to take a leaf from Hamlin’s playbook.

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Hamlin and Co. earn fans’ cheers despite Jeff Gordon’s critique

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In the NASCAR world, loyalty runs deep. But when drivers like Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace resonate authentically with fans, it’s a game-changer. A recent video of the duo, alongside others, enjoying downtime swiftly gained traction. Fans, quick to recall Jeff Gordon’s words, threw shade with quips like, “Take notes, Jeff Gordon.”

The banter didn’t stop there. Comments flowed with, “Omg, Bubba, Denny, and Blaney showing personality!!”

Responses like “Well of course they have personality, they don’t drive for Hendrick” and “Not hearing Blaney and Bubba shoot the shit like real people is the biggest loss from killing Glass Case Of Emotion” filled the thread.

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One fan candidly expressed, “HELL YEUHH!! I’d like Hendrick drivers way more if they colored outside the box at least once in awhile. That’s why I like Bowman.”

Another chimed in, praising the camaraderie: “This video is an incredibly fun watch. Just seeing the chemistry between the 4 is fantastic.” While maintaining a squeaky-clean image may appease sponsors and some segments of the audience, NASCAR enthusiasts seem to have a soft spot for those who wear their hearts on their sleeves and share their genuine selves.