Denny Hamlin was clearly burning rubber in Bristol, and his victory is the proof in the pudding. But Joe Gibbs‘s golden boy, never one to bite his tongue and on the fast track to becoming NASCAR’s newest black sheep, never skips a beat when it comes to clapping back at his critics. Whether it’s facing a chorus of boos on the racetrack or confronting trolls online, he’s always game.

Recently, a tweet threw shade on Hamlin’s speed, suggesting that he might not have been the swiftest but still clinched the win. True to form, Denny Hamlin’s razor-sharp, savage retort set the internet on fire.

Did Denny Hamlin really have the wind beneath his wings in Bristol?

Christopher Bell might have been the star of the show for the first two stages, ruling the roost for most of the race. Yet, when push came to shove, it was Denny Hamlin who stole the limelight, holding off Kyle Larson at the eleventh hour to bag his 51st win and his third crown at Bristol.

But the jury’s still out among some fans: Was Hamlin’s Toyota truly the fastest, or did Kyle Larson have the upper hand? One eagle-eyed NASCAR fan laid down the gauntlet with a tweet showcasing a visual breakdown of the track, musing, “If the final 50 laps at Bristol were based on 4th quarter median lap speed data alone, this is roughly where the top 15 cars would’ve finished on track.” The tweet sparked another fan to chime in with, “It?s funny seeing the 11 bunch saying they?re the fastest when the last 3 weeks of the playoffs the 5 has had probably more speed than them.”

This could’ve been just another tweet lost in the shuffle. But, with Hamlin at the helm, known for his no-holds-barred approach, he stirred the pot further. His cheeky retort? “The 11 runs just fast enough to clinch the win.” Well, that was indeed salt on the wounds of several Hamlin haters.

Ironically, for all his speed and guile on the track, Hamlin’s trophy cabinet lacks a championship title. And as pointed out by the fans, this go-around, the road ahead is peppered with challenges as he goes wheel to wheel with rivals who’ve showcased consistency in victories, speed, and game plans.

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Who could be in the running for the 2023 Cup Championship if Hamlin doesn’t cross the finish line first?

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While die-hard Joe Gibbs Racing aficionados have their fingers crossed for Denny Hamlin to clinch his maiden championship in his 18-year-long NASCAR journey, the competition isn’t asleep at the wheel. There are contenders hot on his tail, looking to steal his thunder.

Take, for instance, Martin Truex Jr. He might’ve hit a rough patch recently, owing to the tragic loss of his girlfriend. Yet, his regular-season championship triumph is a testament that he’s not one to be counted out. If his machine stays on song, he could give Hamlin a run for his money or even snag a stage win.

Then there’s Tyler Reddick, the dark horse who’s been on a roll, notching up impressive performances consistently, including a Kansas victory and respectable finishes at Darlington and Bristol. He’s riding high on confidence, and as he mentioned post-Kansas, “Going into the round of 12, we can pick up just a little, and then as we go, we can keep amping it up.”

Kyle Larson, a former champ, has also been a force to be reckoned with. Keeping his nose clean from any track fracas, he ensures he’s often in the pole position. After a dry spell since April and a brief dip in the rankings, he’s bounced back, nipping at the heels of the playoff leader.

While Lady Luck smiled on several racers like Bubba Wallace, ensuring their top-12 berth, Hamlin’s road to the championship won’t be a walk in the park. He’s got a gauntlet of elite racers gunning for that top spot, making this championship anyone’s game.

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