The NCAA College Football Playoff Championship sets the stage for a blockbuster final. The Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish will face off in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Decades of history and tradition position these two storied programs to battle for supremacy in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff format.

For Ohio State, it’s a chance to secure their first national title since 2014. The Buckeyes have been in commanding form, dismantling top-seeded Oregon and overcoming Texas in a dramatic semifinal. Meanwhile, Notre Dame has shown grit and resilience, edged past SEC powerhouse Georgia, and survived a nail-biting clash against Penn State.

Amid the excitement, star NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin has unexpectedly become one of the Buckeyes’ most vocal supporters. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, known for his passion on the track, has turned his enthusiasm toward college football. After showing support for the Buckeyes, he recently triggered a huge stir on social media.

Denny Hamlin triggers a huge debate!

In the lead-up to the big game, Denny Hamlin openly displayed his loyalties. In a social media post, he shared a meme and took a playful jibe at seasonal fans. “All aboard the @OhioStateFB bandwagon,” Hamlin posted on X. However, his tweet didn’t go well with the Irish fans as Hamlin faced a huge backlash. A user One fan sarcastically wrote, “Notre Dame by a million. Thank you for this. 1 podcast, 0 championships. Choke artist.”

This comment not only jabbed at Ohio State’s title chances but also took a swipe at Hamlin’s NASCAR career. Despite winning more than 50 Cup Series races, Hamlin could not win a single championship in his career. In his 19-year-long career, Hamlin came close to the championship on various occasions but failed to capitalize in playoffs. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver will be keen to make a comeback in the 2025 season with new crew chief, Chris Gayle.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time that Hamlin has openly declared his support for the Ohio Buckeyes. A few days back he had made an emotional social media post to reveal his connection with the squad. “I never went to college, so no allegiance to any other schools. I’ve got two friends who are absolute lunatic fanatics of OSU. Went to a game to watch them be fans, and I was wildly entertained. Friends ride with OSU, so I ride with them,” he tweeted.

The semifinal victory of Ohio State over Texas solidified his transformation into a Buckeye supporter. Broadcasting cameras captured Hamlin and his friends cheering for the Buckeyes from the stands. He couldn’t hide his excitement as the Buckeyes sealed the win with a dramatic defensive play. With the Buckeyes now just one win away from glory, Hamlin’s playful boast has added an unexpected layer of drama to the championship buildup.

Fans go frenzy over Hamlin’s comments

Trending

1

Shell-Shocked Dale Earnhardt Jr Explores 50-Year Old Unsolved Mysteries of His Dad’s Daytona Legacy

2

Kelley Earnhardt Reveals Dale Jr.’s Irresponsible Yet Heartfelt Gesture, Upsetting JRM Financials

3

Shutting Down of Nearly $100 Billion Worth Company Has Bubba Wallace’s Wife in Shambles

4

Iconic Rock Band’s $65 Million Reality Check Bursts Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s ‘Hate’ Bubble

5

Roger Penske’s Plan to Overtake NASCAR Revealed by Latest F1 Hire

While Denny Hamlin may be enjoying his time on the Ohio State bandwagon, fans have had mixed reactions to his allegiance. Social media quickly lit up with responses, ranging from playful banter to outright criticism. Some Notre Dame fans made their loyalties clear with sarcastic yet clear comments.

“Don’t think so!! IT’S NOTRE DAME ALL THE WAY!!!” a user wrote. Another user echoed similar sentiments as he wrote, “Sorry to hear that, Denny… You’re still my favorite driver. But respectfully, f—k Ohio State.”

Notably, Hamlin’s involvement in Ohio State’s championship run may seem light-hearted, but it has added fuel to an already fiery matchup. Fans from both sides have taken to social media to defend their teams, and spar. While Ohio fans have been waiting for the title since 2014, Irish fans have been waiting for a win against Ohio since 1936. In six out of the last eight matches, Ohio has outplayed Notre Dame.

Meanwhile, some fans also took a personal aim at Hamlin. “Hopefully they have as much success as you do in the playoffs (love you, just an Irish fan),” a user wrote. While Hamlin’s championship-less career has been well documented, his recent playoff struggles have been worse than before. Hamlin has failed to make the Championship 4 for three years in a row now, with his last appearance in 2021. Ross Chastain infamously denied him in 2022 after a breathtaking wall ride at the last lap of the Martinsville playoff race saw Chastain overtake 6-7 cars, including Hamlin for the last transfer spot.

As the Buckeyes and Fighting Irish prepare to clash, Hamlin’s playful tweet has buzzed both NASCAR and NCCA College Football fans. Meanwhile, Hamlin is enjoying his NASCAR off-season time to its fullest as the upcoming season could be career-defining for the veteran driver.