“Do You Talk to Michael Jordan?” – Despite Denny Hamlin’s Offensive Nature, Kenny Wallace Lauds His Rare Trait–

Unlike Ross Chastain, who had been subjected to controversies for his on-track antics, putting him in a negative limelight, Denny Hamlin’s journey of becoming a “villain” in NASCAR is quite diverse. The Trackhouse Racing driver had got on the nerves of a majority of the drivers including Hendrick Motorsports team boss, Rick Hendrick. However, it took just a few victories and yearning controversies to posit Denny Hamlin in the same sphere as Ross Chastain.

Nevertheless, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver seems to have risen above the mere judgments of the cynics, as he eyes his ultimate goal of clinching the championship trophy at the Phoenix. Owing to this veteran NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace tries to spill the secrets of Hamlin’s distinctive personality in his interview at Bristol.

Kenny Wallace sides with Denny Hamlin amidst the raising furor

When Hamlin exited his car after crossing the start-finish line in the Bristol night race, the JGR driver was showered with boos and a medley of insults. However, the driver not only seemed nonchalant but also delivered a befitting reply to the flipping audience’s insult as a blessing.

Nevertheless, it’s not just the victories that seemed to have irked the audience but also the discussions that transpire on his podcast Actions Detrimental. His blatant stating of facts has resulted Hamlin in receiving flak from both his audience as well as the NASCAR Insiders, who fail to see eye-to-eye with him.

While this stance can be unsettling for many, veteran NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace seemed to applaud Denny Hamlin’s indifferent attitude, in a pre-race interview in Bristol. 

Questioning Hamlin, Wallace asked, “One thing I like about Denny Hamlin is he has got Actions Detrimental, and you are starting on the front row outside you are third in the points it sounds to me like you don’t hear any white noise. Where do you get that laser focus, it’s kind of controversial on Monday with Actions Detrimental. Where do you get that from? Do you talk to Michael Jordan?”

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To this, the driver retorted, “You gotta focus on the prize at hand and that’s trying to win a championship and a lot of outside factors into that. But all I can do is my best job possible right so, I always make sure I show up on race day ready, prepared, and focused.”

“I do all the work that I have to do to be ready on Sunday, to be ready for anything. Something will happen sometimes that are out of your control but all you can try to do is control what you do and we have started these playoffs pretty strong.”

Hamlin reacts to his disgraced self after clinching victory

Well, as one of the active veteran drivers, Denny Hamlin is also apprised of the fact that he does not occupy a hallowed position or emanate an aura or a charismatic personality in the NASCAR paddock. 

Owing to this the driver after clinching the victory at Bristol expressed to the media, “I’m probably not going to win the Most Popular Driver award. I know who I am.”

“I know how I treat people. But to have that electricity … it’s really fun in NASCAR to have that many fans passionate one way or another.”

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With that being said, the momentum that Hamlin has shown in the ongoing Cup Series is surely commendable. With the second half of the playoffs commencing within a day’s time, it will be interesting to see if the driver is able to hold onto his momentum.