When the title of NASCAR’s most beloved driver is mentioned, eyes instinctively search for the name Chase Elliott. Yet it appears that Denny Hamlin is on a mission to rewrite this story. The racing scene’s latest antagonist holds the belief that any fan response, whether cheers or jeers, fuels a driver’s fame, and he seems ready to reap the benefits of this spotlight.

The race for the fans’ favorite has heated up as Hooters recently kicked off the voting for the Most Popular Driver across the Craftsman Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series. Denny Hamlin’s not-so-subtle nudge in the direction of Chase Elliott has stirred the pot, prompting fans to weigh in—and let’s just say, some didn’t hold back on their candor!

The cheeky bid by Denny Hamlin as the fans’ favorite hit a snag amid a swirl of diverse reactions

Not too long ago, during the adrenaline-fueled Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May 2023, Chase Elliott found himself in hot water, earning a one-race suspension for an incident deemed intentional against Denny Hamlin.

Hendrick Motorsports promptly issued a statement, confirming that Elliott would not appeal. As a result, he was set to sit out the Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by Ticketmaster at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Taking the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in his stead was Corey LaJoie.

Post-collision, the drivers exchanged words, with Hamlin advocating for Elliott’s suspension, citing a deliberate right-rear hook, and not shying away from hinting at “retaliation.”

In the aftermath, Hamlin has seemingly slipped into the shoes once filled by NASCAR’s notorious “bad boy,” Kyle Busch, drawing boos with each triumph and loss. Embracing the axiom that all publicity is good publicity, Hamlin has made it his mission to capture and keep the spotlight firmly on himself.

His latest move? A quip aimed at Chase Elliott in response to NASCAR’s tweet about a new fan-driven challenge: the most popular driver award. “Y’all know what would be really funny?“ he teased. This gambit, designed to keep him at the forefront of racing conversations, sparked a firestorm in the comments section. While some fans rallied behind him, others couldn’t resist lobbing their own jibes at the driver, making the social media thread a battleground of wit and wills.

Watch This Story: Jeff Gordon’s Take on Denny Hamlin’s “Villain” Persona

The battle for the title of NASCAR’s most popular driver has revved up, and fans fiercely divide over Hamlin’s bid for the crown

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Hamlin has been a master of the spotlight, both on the asphalt and in his off-track commentary, adeptly seizing every opportunity to turn heads—and his latest appeal for the Most Popular Driver award is no exception.

A faction of fans is rallying behind Hamlin, captivated by his headline-making year. They’re proclaiming, with comments like, “I wish I could see the rage in your haters hearts if you won over Chase,” and musing, “If you beat their favorite drivers??” that he’s the undeniable choice. One admirer even confessed a shift in allegiance, stating, “I want to vote for Blaney, but voting for you is damn tempting. There should be a fan poll that says, “what driver impacted your viewing of races the most?” And thats the most popular driver award right there.”

Read More: This is Why Denny Hamlin is Still Championship-Less in the NASCAR Cup Series

Yet, not everyone is aboard the Hamlin hype train. Some fans have pushed back with zingers like, “Unpopular driver yep you win!!” and “You getting beat by OUR favorite Drivers ?” One spectator subtly called out Hooters, the award’s sponsor, suggesting it’d be unusual for them to honor a driver not in their stable: “Hooters presenting this award to someone not sponsored by them.”

So, who’s getting your vote in this high-octane popularity contest? Drop us a line—share your pick, and who knows, we might just reveal ours in return!