There have been very few successful NASCAR drivers who have competed in the golden era and are still going strong against the new wave. And Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski rightly fit that description. Interestingly, both drivers have a lot of similarities in terms of their careers, but in personality and character, they are two different breeds.

Going into the Daytona 500, it’s fair to say that they are counting their days on the race tracks. Both the drivers are in their 40s and are looking to settle some unfinished business this season. However, despite the similar trajectory and career span, RFK Racing’s co-owner feels like they are opposites when it comes to life values and their conduct on the racetrack.

Brad Keselowski draws a parallel with Denny Hamlin

Both Hamling and Keselowski are NASCAR Hall of Fame-worthy if you look at their impact on the sport. While JGR’s No. 11 is still chasing his championship, Keselowski has already achieved this feat. While they might have similar racing attributes, they are two contrasting characters. Let’s just put it this way: Hamlin will not leave an opportunity to speak his mind, even if he isn’t politically correct. Whereas, Keselowski likes to keep his hands clean and do his talking on the racetrack.

Giving his take on his similarities with his rival divers, Keselowski in an interview said, “I don’t know how to compare us. We’re similar in our personal lives we have with children and we’re similar in age group. Similar in the sense that we race cars for a living and some team ownership and driving responsibility. But I think we probably have some different ethos and values.

“Everybody thinks theirs (Ethos and values) are better than others. I don’t know to say if we’re similar or not. I don’t know if it’s fair for me to answer and it’s not something I focus on. I try to look at my own stuff all the time. Eventually, you have to pop up and look around what’s going on in the rest of the world just so you know what the hell you’re doing.”

Read More: Amid Dispute Over Charters, Is a Breakaway Series a Realistic Threat for NASCAR? 

Their distinct personalities can easily be gauged based on their stand and outspokenness towards the pending charter negotiations deal.

Same vision but different approach

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There’s a sense of calm about Keselowski’s approach and his next steps. However, the same cannot be said for Denny Hamlin, who likes to throw caution to the wind. Interestingly, you can identify how subtle yet major difference the two drivers have in their character and personalities just based on their views over the pending charter agreement.

Both of them shared their take during an interview with Fox reporter Bob Pockrass in January. The duo was concerned about the delay in negotiation but had contrasting opinions. Keselowski said, “At the end of the day, I’m confident we’re going to show up at Daytona in 2025 and race. So I tell all the fans that might be listening or watching, ‘Don’t worry about this. We’re going to figure this out.”

Whereas, Hamlin took a jibe at NASCAR for stalling the agreement. He said, “It’s been a slow process to try to get any answers and transparency where we need it. It’s going to take some time, and it’s just a matter of how long NASCAR wants to drag it out (…) It’s just tough to get the two sides to agree on a lot of issues.”

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series is another opportunity for both drivers to complete their NASCAR legacy. For Keselowski, it will be breaking the Daytona 500 duck, while Hamlin will be eyeing his first championship.

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