
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 26: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 26: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Today Denny Hamlin could be considered as a veteran in NASCAR, technically. After all, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is 41. However, despite his age and the big belt of experience, Hamlin is cooler than most of the young drivers in the sport.
This was something he made all the more evident during the Dover Cup race in an exchange with his crew chief, Chris Gabehart.
The crew chief said while the rain brought out a red flag to halt a race, that was subsequently postponed. “My gut here is if we get wet-wet then I think we’re done,” Gabeheart said.
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This led to Hamlin questioning, “Did you say wet-wet?” “Yes, if the track gets wet-wet,” the crew chief explained.
“That’s hip-hop slang. You’re cool and don’t even know it,” Hamlin replied.
Gabehart: "My gut here is if we get wet-wet then I think we're done."
Hamlin: "Did you say wet-wet?"
Gabehart: "Yes, if the track gets wet-wet."
Hamlin: "That's hip-hop slang. You're cool and don't even know it." #NASCAR https://t.co/zsfeQ5SyNQ
— Zach Sturniolo (@zachstur) May 1, 2022
Denny Hamlin reacts to his NASCAR meme-sanction
As was expected, Denny Hamlin was questioned about his recent controversial meme video that earned him a sensitivity training sanction from NASCAR.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver described the penalty was something he saw having “correlation in the driving”, but that was it.
“I didn’t even think twice about the other (racial implications), which is — that’s the insensitive part, right? Whoever created it put I guess his name in front of a woman who’s speaking Asian, I guess you’re making fun of that,” he added.

USA Today via Reuters
Mar 12, 2022; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) during practice for the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver added that in his opinion, “it was hilarious” but at the same time, it was also “insensitive”.
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“I definitely understand how some people could find it offensive. And if it’s one, then it’s one too many,” Hamlin said.
It remains to be seen whether Denny Hamlin reconsiders his outspoken nature, particularly on social media. What happened recently would surely have led to his sponsors and his team questioning him, having ‘a talk’ with him.
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Regardless, he’d hope when the season comes to an end, fans and he himself remembers it for one thing and one thing only; winning races and hopefully his first Cup championship.
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