Published 01/28/2023, 3:01 AM EST
The thing about Denny Hamlin, one of the most accomplished drivers in the modern era of NASCAR, is that generally, fans don’t like him. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is as divisive as a personality as he is successful as a driver.
Take for instance, his recent claim about Jimmie Johnson, the former Hendrick Motorsports driver who is set to return to the sport in a part-driver-part-owner role with Legacy Motor Club in 2023.
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Hamlin recently got his own show, under the media umbrella of Dale Earnhardt Jr. And in a clip in which he’s talking about Johnson’s return, Hamlin gets candid on the impact the seven-timer had
“I hate it. I hate that he’s coming back,” Hamlin said. “Just because as the guy that, you know, I just put on this pedestal of, like, unbeatable.”
“Just super talented, like he was the guy. And like I always said, I hate I raced in the Jimmie Johnson era, like damn it, I was so unfortunate. How many championships would I have if I didn’t have to race against him?”
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Fans have none of Denny Hamlin for his Jimmie Johnson take
Denny Hamlin’s claim of wondering how many NASCAR championships he would have had if he didn’t race against Jimmie Johnson obviously wasn’t going to sit well with the fans.
A lot of comments under the clip bashed Hamlin for his take.
One fan wrote, “So what’s stopping him from winning championships now?”, while another made a point, “I don’t think jj was the reason you don’t have any championships.”
“1 hope JJ continues to clean up Denny. Always wining. It’s simple. Be better,” read one fan’s opinion while another emphasized, “Probably the same amount he’s won since Jimmie retired.”
“Zero the answer is still zero,” one fan wrote while another commented, “Jimmy could go winless the rest of his life and still be infinitely more likable and popular than Denny Hamlin ever will. Odd, how many championships has Danny one since JIMMY retired? Zero.”
“Jimmy hasn’t been competitive/competing since 2016… so…,” read one fan’s reaction.
BRISTOL, TN – SEPTEMBER 17: Denny Hamlin (#11 Joe Gibbs Racing FedEx Ground Toyota) looks on during the running of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 17, 2022 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Earnhardt Jr claims he will defend Hamlin should he have controversial opinions
During a recent episode of Dirty Mo Live, Dale Earnhardt Jr. described that “no matter what kind of troubles the guys get themselves into”, he wouldn’t hesitate in using his name and power to defend them “whether it’s NASCAR or anybody.”
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“I’ve had a couple of conversations with some execs at NASCAR, and while they may not love everything that happens in the media or happens on our podcasts, it’s sort of this necessary thing to have shows out there, have chatter, have conversation, different opinions, different viewpoints,” Junior emphasized.
Having said that, Junior thinks Hamlin wouldn’t get himself that deep into the swamp of controversies resulting from bold opinions. “Denny will be a lot more measured and less by the seat of his pants,” he added.
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