Very few sports hold their athletes as close as NASCAR does its drivers. So much so that voting polls for ‘the most popular driver‘ are often put up on the internet. Additionally, when a fan-favorite driver wins a race, every fan celebrates. However, if a group of NASCAR fans sits together and debates who the most popular driver in NASCAR is, the discussion is bound to become a bit unruly.

Popularity can have both negative and positive connotations. For example, fans have always hated Kyle Busch’s “I don’t care” attitude in the sport. But Kyle Busch never cared about all of that because, for him, winning in his career far exceeds anything, even if it means chucking his name off the good books of his fans. And that has just made him more popular.

Similarly, a lot of fans have bashed Denny Hamlin after he rammed Kyle Larson at Pocono. But he couldn’t have cared less. For him, his 50th career victory and 7th win at the Tricky Triangle were more important. And the way 23XI’s co-owner has embraced the villain arc, it has sparked speculation about him being the next Rowdy of NASCAR.

NASCAR insider thinks that Denny Hamlin is the new Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch is known as ‘Rowdy’ for a reason. He is confident and fast, has wrecked the best of the best, and most importantly, he is condescending. People often hate the best, and maybe that is why NASCAR fans have hated the KB Motorsports owner for a long time.

In the introduction to his documentary, Kyle Busch exclaimed, “The thing you want to do is to be well-liked when you retire. I know right now I’m not close to retiring, and I’m not close to being liked.” The number 8 driver for RCR said in one of the episodes of The Residency Podcast, “…the fans have not liked some of my antics over the years or my personality, my absolute hatred of losing.“

However, that reputation has subsided over time for Kyle Busch, and a new name is taking over the role of the ‘bad boy’ of NASCAR.

At Pocono, Denny Hamlin got himself his 50th career win and Toyota’s 600th victory. However, it did not come clean, as he had to wreck his opponent, the #9 Hendrick Motorsports icon. Fans booed at him and raised an expletive finger at the 23XI Racing co-owner. However, after his on-track skirmish with his golf buddy Kyle Larson, he came out of his car and celebrated his victory with the most savage words ever.

“They (fans) can boo my rock out here in a few years!” he laughed.

In an episode of J.C.’s Garage, David Styles explained how Denny Hamlin is becoming the new Kyle Busch. While talking about Chase Elliott being the most popular driver in NASCAR, he explained why he thought that mere voting polls could not decide the popularity of a driver.

“I think a good barometer is to go to the racetrack and listen for people and who they cheer for, Chase Elliott, people go crazy,” he said.

Watch this story: Kyle Busch Uncharacteristically Sides With Chase Elliott, Slamming Bubba Wallace Insider’s Demand

Styles said that he understood why people sought after Chase so much. After all, he is Bill Elliott’s son and also the defending Cup Series champion. But, there are a lot of other metrics that go behind deciding who the most popular driver is.

He said, “Kyle Busch comes out and he gets booed, but those boos have kind of subsided and now they’re turning into more cheers...and then we have Denny Hamlin come along. He’s kind of taken over from Kyle Busch.”

Fans vehemently opposed Denny Hamlin’s behavior at Pocono

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Moments after the race at Pocono, Joe Gibbs Racing tweeted, “SPECIAL DAY @PoconoRaceway 600 WINS FOR @ToyotaRacing 50 WINS FOR @dennyhamlin and #7 at Pocono.” However, a majority of the comments to this post slammed Denny Hamlin for his move.

A fan commented, “Dirty Denny Hamlin. Dirty JGR.”

Someone stated, “I don’t consider it special nor something to be proud of. Not considering the way it was accomplished & then the BS act of innocents. Based on all the BOOs I think the majority agrees.”

A NASCAR enthusiast went back to last year when Kyle Busch left Joe Gibbs Racing. On that note, they said, “Praying after a cheap win? The same man who lied and said he didn’t have a sponsor for Busch but had one for his grandson. Then Busch goes to RC and gets multiple sponsors. A hypocrite matched with a narcissist. Perfect combination.”

Another exclaimed, “Tell your driver of the 11 to race likes he wants to be raced, stop crying when what’s get done him is the same thing he did to Larson, the 1 car is different but Larson races clean unlike the 11 but the 11 is the first to cry Get you a real driver Joe Gibbs.”

Meanwhile, someone felt like JGR lacked the luster that it once had when Tony Stewart used to drive for them. They commented, “Liked Joe Gibbs Racing when Tony Stewart drove for him but they have totally different morals now, all about the mighty $$$ and winning by all means necessary, Joe Gibbs Racing needs to send Hamlin packing.”

Read more: “We Need That Villain” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Requests Kyle Larson Fans To Be Optimistic About the Season After a Disappointing Weekend