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Denny Hamlin’s fiance, Jordan Fish, knows how to make waves and her latest move is a clever nod to her professional sports past. A cheerleader for one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises, Fish spent time on the sidelines long before meeting the NASCAR star. A humorous twist recently reignited that connection, putting her allegiance on display in a way that brought smiles to plenty of faces.

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Fish took to her Instagram account to share a hilarious moment she found that took her back to her Charlotte Hornets days.

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Michael Jordan’s ex-team still has loyal fans

Resharing a humorous reel to her Instagram stories, Jordan Fish added a playful caption, “Only people who watch @hornets games know how accurate this is,” tagging the Charlotte Hornets. Currently worth $3.3 billion, the NBA team has skyrocketed in value since Michael Jordan sold it for $1.7 billion in 2023. They’ve topped $308 million in revenue and $84 million in operating income under Gabe Plotkin, Rick Schnall, and Chris Shumway, proving that they’re doing well both on and off the court. At the moment, a group that includes a millionaire hedge fund manager and rapper J Cole owns the team.

In the reel that Fish reshared on her story, one of the @shepmates twins impersonated the drama that Eric Collins brings in through his commentary. A play-by-play sports announcer for Bally Sports South, Eric Collins is currently the voice of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. He’s earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and fans in the industry because of his ability to convey drama and excitement. His job as a sports announcer makes him aware of the power of words and the impact that they can have. Having been part of the team, Jordan Fish knows how accurate the twins are in portraying Collins.

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Hamlin and Fish got engaged at the very start of 2024 and since then, had been busy with the NASCAR schedule for the 2024 season. Jordan Fish was a cheerleader for the Charlotte Hornets prior to dating her now fiance Denny Hamlin. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Fish and Hamlin joyfully announced their engagement on New Year’s Day 2024. A series of charming photos captured Jordan’s beachside celebration in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, including moments with his children. With a playful touch, Jordan Fish‘s caption wrote, “Rings: DH 0, Jordan 1.

For Denny Hamlin, visiting a basketball game turned into a defining moment for the driver. It didn’t change his career, but it meant he met Fish. Hamlin was at a Charlotte Hornets game along with his friends, Jason White and Ron Herbert. His friends tried to set Hamlin up with Fish. When they finally locked eyes and smiled at each other, there was no going back. While things didn’t work out initially, Hamlin and Fish eventually hit it off.

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It seems taking a chance is part of Denny Hamlin’s road to success. On the track, he has another big opportunity as Hamlin faces a massive change at JGR for 2025.

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Chris Gabehart’s Promotion came in as a shock to Denny Hamlin

As for Denny Hamlin in 2025, Joe Gibbs Racing appointed a new crew chief after promoting Chris Gabehart to competition director. During the 2025 Cup Series season, the Huntersville-based team will field the #11 car with Chris Gayle. Taking Chris Gabehart off as Denny Hamlin’s crew chief is a surprise move from JGR. With 22 victories under their belts, the two have been actively challenging for titles since 2019.

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It is only natural to expect that a crew chief’s driver would be part of the discussion when he is given a new position. Hamlin, however, was not involved in the discussions leading to Gabehart’s removal from the No. 11 team and his promotion as Competition Director. 

“I was shocked,” Hamlin admitted during the Annual Awards Banquet. The three-time Daytona 500 winner wasn’t consulted in the discussions that led to this shake-up—a detail that added to the sting. “The first few days were tough, but I’m moving on. JGR is doing what they feel is best for them, and I totally understand that.” But, his determination to move forward was evident despite losing such a trusted partner.

Hamlin, ever the optimist, chose to focus on the silver lining. “If all of our programs get better, the No. 11 car’s gonna run better as well,” he added, signaling his commitment to the future alongside Gabehart’s replacement, Gayle. Hamlin is hopeful that this change might be the key to finally winning that Cup Series championship, even with retirement looming at a distance.

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