If there is one most-searched NASCAR driver at the moment, it is none other than Denny Hamlin. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has already reigned in two wins this season. For his latest one, he stole the thunder from his teammate at Richmond. But besides the high-speed drama on the racetrack, Hamlin is becoming an active promoter of NASCAR. And this may even lead him to overturn his current persona.

Starring majorly in the Netflix series, Denny Hamlin may be bringing global recognition to the sport. Added to that are his regular podcast episodes, Twitter convos, and so much more. So despite his stamped villain status, who could deny him a popularity award? Even fans agree, positioning him above Chase Elliott.

Denny Hamlin may give NASCAR’s golden boy a run for his money

Before 2023, Denny Hamlin was a driver who didn’t really evoke emotions on either end of the spectrum. He had humble beginnings, racing Late Models in Virginia. After he ran out of money, J.D. Gibbs discovered him and gave him his NASCAR break in 2004. As a Cup rookie in 2006, he won two races, being on par with veterans like Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson.

In comparison, Chase Elliott’s background involves a rich legacy of racing with his father, Bill Elliott, being a 1988 Cup champion. Race fans tend to cringe when young racers get easy access to top-tier races with their parents’ money. Hence all the more reason why Denny Hamlin could topple Chase Elliott from the Most Popular Driver standing.

Brett Griffin, Door Bumper Clear co-host, believes in Hamlin’s popularity given all his hard work. He tweeted: “Denny should win most popular driver. No one gives you more these days. On the track, Netflix, podcast, Twitter access….. what more could you want from a driver?”

And surprisingly, hoards of fans rallied in support of elevating the current NASCAR villain. Some fans supported Griffin’s call: “🏁🏁🏁🏁 amen @SpotterBrett”. Then, “He’s got it going on”.

One fan hailed Hamlin’s personality: “These fans want drivers with personality and they cry when they get it every single time.” Another fan chimed along similar lines: “It’s kind of like how the cowboys are Americans team. They are the most polarizing and popular. Denny is the same. I’m a bigger fan today because of Denny.”

Others drew comparisons with Chase Elliott. “Nah most popular cup driver is a nepotism award in nascar. Chase Elliott could finish 35th all year he’s still gunna win it”. Another fan shot a sarcastic jibe: “Why do that when we can have a monotone, sponsor spewing robot guy who hides on a small town in Georgia we never really see or hear from? That guy gets US.”

Read More: Dale Earnhardt Jr Take a Sly Dig at Joey Logano Amidst Denny Hamlin’s Villainous Coronation

Ironically, it was a battle with Chase Elliott only that triggered Denny Hamlin’s villainous reputation. And the JGR driver believes it’s not going away soon.

Hamlin does not hope for a popularity stamp

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When Denny Hamlin wrecked fan-favorite Chase in a Martinsville playoff race in 2017, Elliott fans were enraged. Then, in 2023, Hamlin called for Elliott’s suspension after the latter wrecked him, and NASCAR obliged. These two Elliott-centric face-offs and a Pocono encounter with Kyle Larson comfortably established Denny Hamlin as NASCAR’s villain.

“I think the two most popular drivers in our series – Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott – I’ve had run-ins with them. I think fans in general won’t let go of those grudges, right?” Hamlin said as per motorsport.com. “They won’t look past those instances no matter what. I’ve come to accept there’s just a certain amount of it that will just never go away because, as they see it, on one given weekend, I did their driver wrong.”

Denny Hamlin is not looking for a popularity stamp, but his fans may turn the tide in favor of his hard-earned reputation.