“This Is Not the Way”- Livid Fans Tear Into Denny Hamlin’s ‘Simple’ Defense With Bold Tyler Reddick Verdict

As the 2025 NASCAR season inches closer, excitement among fans has reached a fever pitch. From new sponsorship deals to team announcements, every detail is fueling anticipation for what promises to be a competitive season. Among these announcements, the unveiling of paint schemes is a fan-favorite moment.

Teams take pride in showcasing their creative liveries, often blending sponsor branding with bold designs that stand out on the track. However, the latest release by 23XI Racing didn’t go well with the fans. The team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan has been known for daring and iconic designs. Yet, the team’s latest reveal left fans shocked.

The 23XI Racing designs for the No. 23 and No. 45 cars this season have faced sharp criticism. Fans, who had come to expect vibrant and cutting-edge designs, voiced their disappointment over the minimalist paint schemes, especially for the No. 45 car. Tyler Reddick’s No. 45 car features the Jordan Brand’s logo in an understated black-and-red scheme on a white base.

While these designs are sleek, fans quickly labeled them as “bland” and “uninspired.” One user summed up the outrage, writing, “This is not the way!” The uproar stems from the high bar 23XI Racing has set in the past. Previous designs, such as the electric Jordan Brand liveries and Monster Energy’s aggressive themes, earned widespread praise for their creativity. In comparison, the 2025 designs felt like a step back, leaving fans yearning for the boldness they had come to expect.

However, team owner Denny Hamlin defended the minimalist approach in a post on X. He stated: “We try to keep it simple and sleek. Busy cars don’t show up on racetracks, but look great in renderings.” Hamlin’s defense highlights an often-overlooked aspect of NASCAR paint schemes: functionality. Sleek designs are easier to spot during races, where high speeds and distance make visual clarity critical. Overly complex liveries can appear cluttered and lose their impact.

Fans rip apart Denny Hamlin

While the minimalist approach may serve a purpose on race day, fans believe that one shouldn’t compromise aesthetics. The unveiling of Tyler Reddick’s 2025 paint schemes sparked an avalanche of reactions from fans, many of whom took to social media to express their disappointment. One fan posted, “@dennyhamlin I don’t care how much you like cars to be simple and clean, this is not the move.”

Another user lamented, “Look at how they massacred my boy.” Their frustration echoed a broader sentiment among fans who felt the designs lacked creativity. It also reflected a sense of loss among loyal fans who had cherished 23XI Racing’s previous artistic flair. However, some fans also criticized the No.23 car’s scheme.

One fan wrote, “I like the changes to the Beast car, but the Leidos car isn’t even recognizable anymore, and just a bad paint scheme in general.” Notably, previous designs for Wallace’s car often blended dynamic elements with vibrant color schemes, like the striking black-and-red McDonald’s livery or the electric blue of Columbia Sportswear. In contrast, the 2025 version feels subdued, sparking criticism from fans who believe the car fails to stand out on the track.

Some fans speculated about the underlying reasons for the simplistic approach. “You know they’re in the middle of a legal battle with the sport…? Why would they put their most creative paints on track…?” a user writes. It’s worth noting that 23XI along with Front Row Motorsports have filed an anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR which is an ongoing court case. The decision over the issue is still pending and expected to be heard in May 2025. Amidst all the fan outrage, what do you think of 23XI Racing’s new paint scheme?