It is no secret that Denny Hamlin is one of the most outspoken and unapologetic drivers in NASCAR today. The 43-year-old might not have won the Cup Series yet but he certainly has made a name for himself as NASCAR’s villain in 2023. Hamlin was a host on DirtyMo Media’s Actions Detrimental podcast this year for the first time in such a role. At the end of the year, he sat down with Dale Earnhardt Jr to speak about the experience.

Another year, another failed Cup Series attempt for Denny Hamlin. The 43-year-old is surely reaching the end of his career and time is running out. This year might have been a tough pill to swallow as the #11 car was rapid throughout. One area where he did achieve a lot of success this year was his podcasting career, which the JGR man will surely continue doing in the future.

Dale Earnhardt Jr acknowledges Denny Hamlin’s popularity rise through Actions Detrimental

Not many people are fans of how Denny Hamlin is as a person. His outspoken nature does not sit well with people and with the Actions Detrimental podcast, he has been able to express his opinions even more. As per Junior is concerned, it has earned the JGR man a lot of fans and a lot of haters.

“I think you have gained more fans. I think people have gotten to know you better through the show. You can’t help but learn really who somebody is when they’re putting themselves out there like that and people will choose to like or not like what they hear. Seems like you’ve grown your fanbase but to your point, you’ve also stoked a fire a little bit with some of the people that don’t like you, they’re still listening. I think all of those things are great,” Junior said.

The two-time Xfinity Series champion also took a sly dig at drivers who do not speak up at all. Denny Hamlin believes that an attitude like that stunts the growth of NASCAR and judging by his reaction, Dale Earnhardt Jr is in agreement with his former competitor.

“Some of our drivers, I’m not gonna name any names, don’t want any noise, they don’t want to get near the noise, they don’t want to ruffle any feathers, get anybody riled up. They just want to sort of live this quiet existence and go race a car, be this megastar,” the JR Motorsports owner added.

Junior seems to be a fan of Denny Hamlin’s smack-talking side as he heaped the praise on how the JGR man reacted to the fans after winning the playoff race in Bristol.

Read More – “(Joe)Gibbs Fires Me?…I’ll Go Drive for Myself”- Denny Hamlin Reveals Longtime Sponsor’s Hand Behind Current ‘Villain’ Stature in NASCAR

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Two-time Xfinity Series champion hails Cup Series driver’s wrestling promo at Bristol

Leading up to that race, the driver of the #11 was a hot favorite for the Cup Series title. Hamlin’s victory in the 500-lap race solidified his claim to the title and while he was booed by fans, the 43-year-old triumphantly announced that he beat the fans’ favorite drivers.

“You’ve just ran 500 laps at Bristol and you get out and really cut a wrestling promo which was one of the best things that happened all year long. I mean, I know you’re witty and I know you’re pretty good at comebacks and talking s**t,” an impressed Dale Earnhardt Jr said. “It wasn’t a bad thing, it was perfect.”

Denny Hamlin is a man who will not subdue his feelings and that is what makes him so entertaining. Will the JGR driver be able to achieve that elusive Cup title in 2024?

WATCH THIS STORY: Hamlin’s hilarious Instagram roast after Ohio’s crushing defeat