The boos were ringing in the grandstands when Denny Hamlin’s name was announced during the driver intros. We know he has been quite a polarizing figure in the NASCAR community in the last few years, and while many enjoy his outspoken, unfiltered nature, others aren’t shy to embrace his ‘villain’ role. And what he said earlier this year, after winning the race in Michigan, was another acknowledgement for his haters.

Hamlin said, “Daddy, I’m sorry, I beat your favorite driver, folks,” with jeers being heard in the background. And after his fifth win of the season at the World Wide Technology Raceway, he didn’t mince his words but said, “Ya’ll can boo me, but you can either get on the bandwagon, or you can get run over by it.” Clearly, he couldn’t care less what the fans think.

And, lucky for him, the 2025 Cup Series campaign is also shaping up to be his best one in recent years, with five triumphs already and a Round of 12 playoff spot assured. At 44, this might be Denny Hamlin’s best and possibly last opportunity to lift the Bill France Cup, and with the antitrust lawsuit making headlines in the background, winning the championship under such circumstances would taste sweeter than ever.

Highlighted in the resume: Best Without the Crown

His records speak for themselves. Hamlin might not have a trophy cabinet like Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, or even Kyle Busch, but Denny Hamlin is, without a doubt, one of the most talented Cup Series drivers in the last few decades. After the win at the 2025 Enjoy Illinois 300, the veteran has 59 wins at NASCAR’s highest level, just one shy of matching Kevin Harvick’s record. He also has three Daytona 500s to his name, three Southern 500s, and a Coca-Cola 600 crown in 2022.

However, Lady Luck hasn’t been on his side.

Despite making 18 playoff appearances and reaching the Championship 4 on four separate occasions, Denny Hamlin has nothing to show for it. 18 years of reaching near the cup title, still his longevity in a cutthroat sport speaks for itself, and over 700 appearances for Joe Gibbs Racing is nothing to scoff at.

If wins, being able to adapt to different eras, consistency, and overall influence on and off the track are anything to go by, few drivers in NASCAR history match Hamlin. And perhaps that kind of legacy will create a bigger impact than a championship ever will.

But Denny’s been making his priorities clearer and clearer as he nears retirement. After the post-race press conference at Gateway, this season, Denny Hamlin said, “I want to get the wins, and I feel that will carry its weight long after. When you compare me to someone with one or two, even three championships with half the wins, I don’t think that person is better than I am.” Now, is he changing?

The personality shift: From quiet talent to calculated villain

Unlike the Elliotts and Earnhardts, Denny Hamlin definitely didn’t come from a NASCAR background. He earned his way to the highest level of stock car racing through talent and hard work, going from go-karts at the tender age of 7 to Late Models and then the Truck Series. Back in the day, his demeanour couldn’t be more different from what it is today, as the quiet boy from Virginia didn’t have the flashes of cockiness or his outspoken personality accompanying his mercurial talent.

But his reputation grew in the NASCAR world, just like Darrell Waltrip in his early years, Tony Stewart, for his fiery personality, and the Busch brothers. Slowly, he began to embrace the ‘bad boy’ archetype. Further, with his Actions Detrimental podcast, he unfiltered views about the sport, while his post-race interviews had plenty of trash talk to rile up not just the fans but other drivers on the grid.

That unapologetic confidence was backed by on-track results, making him a force to be reckoned with; a James Moriarty to the Sherlock Holmes-type figures in Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson.

And maybe, that shift in personality gave him control over the narrative. Fans enjoyed the buzz surrounding Hamlin and how boldly he embraced controversies. He doubled down when many drivers on the grid would’ve backed away, ensuring that he didn’t just dominate on the racetrack, but also the headlines. For a sport that was suffering from stagnancy in the mid-2000s, Denny Hamlin became just the figure it needed to bring in the excitement again.

From a driver without a championship to owning the only “bold” team in the garage

Denny Hamlin reinvented his image once again in September 2020, announcing the launch of 23XI Racing alongside NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. The team’s name was a nod to MJ’s iconic No. 23 jersey at the Chicago Bulls, as well as Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing, with Bubba Wallace being named the first driver for the team.

While Bubba continues to make history by winning his first Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, he becomes the first African-American driver to do so since Wendell Scott back in 1963.

As for Hamlin, the public perception surrounding the racing driver shifted drastically. All of a sudden, he was no longer just a figure chasing the championship at Joe Gibbs Racing. He was a ‘builder’ who had invested in NASCAR’s long-term future. His words now have more weight. Hamlin had the kind of power that would outlast his racing days.

For a sport that seemed stuck in a rut, 23XI was making bold decisions. Pushing for diversity and representation, aspects that were previously unexplored in NASCAR. And with Jordan’s name and Hamlin’s vision, new fans were introduced to the sport and redefined who belonged in the world of stock car racing.

As an owner, he now had a stake in the sport itself, its business model, and the future. From sharing his views on the revenue distribution to the charter system, and how NASCAR markets itself on several occasions, his opinions hold weight as both a competitor and a businessman, making him one of the most important and influential figures in the garage.

And with the antitrust lawsuit going on in the background, Denny Hamlin is challenging the status quo, with the verdict potentially changing the sport forever.

23XI Racing may have lost its charters, and despite Michael Jordan’s backing, running as ‘open’ teams will hurt their pockets in the long run. They continue to fight it out right till the end, irrespective of the circumstances. It’s kind of how Hamlin has approached his career over the years, raw, unfiltered, and willing to rise up to the challenge whenever he sees fit. Speaking of raw, Denny is outright blunt, and that too in the face of it. All thanks to his podcast.

Denny Hamlin is moving the sport

Remember back in April 2023, when Denny Hamlin pitched a midseason tournament idea, and NASCAR followed through with the In-Season Challenge earlier this year.

With $1 million up for grabs, the concept was modelled after the March Madness and the NBA Cup, with the 44-year-old even joking about getting royalties if it paid off. Ultimately, his podcast’s influence is undeniable, and while critics will always have some faults to point out, the reality is that Hamlin’s influence in NASCAR and amongst fans could arguably be even bigger than Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The podcast gives fans access to his thoughts about the races, playoffs, officiating, and strategy, as well as topics like the charter system and aspects like sustainability, particularly in the Truck and ARCA Series. So, while it’s 18 playoffs, or owning a team, or even being outspoken, maybe the title is not that he’s living for after all.

The trophy might not just matter to Denny Hamlin

The ‘win and in’ format has diluted what it meant to lift the Bill France Cup for a big section of the NASCAR fanbase, with consistency playing second fiddle to clutch results. Dale Jr., unlike his father, never won the title either, but his impact on the sport, particularly off the track, is bigger than ‘The Intimidator’. The same applies to Denny Hamlin.

Denny Hamlin remains NASCAR’s most winningest driver without a championship, but many of his peers and media personnel believe his voice has never been more influential. On a personal front, the Virginia-native will be desperate to land a trophy; it would be the crown jewel of his illustrious career.

But in reality, he is already the face of the sport, and when he finally calls it a day, his legacy will be bigger than any silverware he could achieve. After Kyle Larson, Hamlin was the second driver to be named in the Greatest 75 list, a testament to his contributions as a racer, team owner, media creator, and a leader.

Conclusion

Denny Hamlin has nothing to prove anymore. Fans can love or hate him, but the truth is they love what he does on the track, and the racer won’t have it any other way.