The 2021 NASCAR season produced many, many moments that were rich with racing action, and there were instances of the drivers locking horns. And towards the end of the season, in Martinsville, Hendrick driver Alex Bowman came away not only with a win, but a nickname: ‘The Hack.’ This nickname was given to him by Denny Hamlin.

Since then, Bowman’s nickname has been seen on t-shirts, cars, and more by the driver himself and others as well.

But one wonders, why did Hamlin call Bowman ‘a hack?’

How did that nickname come to be?

During the race in Martinsville, with seven laps to go, Denny Hamlin was in the lead, aiming to qualify for the last four in Phoenix.

And with the Joe Gibbs driver was in the lead, the Hendrick driver made contact with him, causing Hamlin to spin around and hit the wall. This put Hamlin’s last four hopes in jeopardy for a while, but luckily for him, he qualified.

Yet the 40-year-old remained bitter about the race win that got away from his hands courtesy of an ambitious move by Bowman.

In his post-race interview, an infuriated Hamlin expressed his thoughts on the race winner.

“He’s just a hack,” Hamlin said.

“An absolute hack. He gets his a**-kicked by his teammates, every week. He’s f**king terrible, he’s just terrible.”

Alex Bowman embraced his new name

Trending

Dale Jr Unmasks Teresa Earnhardt’s Refusal to Sell Him His Late Father’s Prized Possession That Forced Relocation Move

April 17, 2024 12:29 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick Reveals His Deliberately Reckless Move to See Out $228 Billion Sponsor

April 18, 2024 09:25 PM EDT

Uncertain “Political Environment” Cause Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing to Take a Major Sponsorship Hit

April 18, 2024 05:43 AM EDT

“They’re a Bunch of Morons”: Dale Earnhardt Jr Baffled by His Employees’ Texas Hypocrisy Post Their “Entertaining” Verdict

April 19, 2024 05:14 AM EDT

Chase Elliott Dissects NASCAR’s Double Edged Sword, Reignites Denny Hamlin’s Horsepower Rant With Harsh Reality Check

April 18, 2024 02:04 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NASCAR stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Despite the insulting comments from Hamlin, Alex Bowman responded a little unexpectedly, but in the appropriate manner.

Because instead of firing back with a more brutal or savage insult, Bowman embraced this nickname. Soon after he was nicknamed ‘a hack,’ Bowman put up t-shirts with that graphic on them, with the proceeds going to charity.

Bowman also spray-painted the nickname over his car in one of the post-season races.

Bowman, who had four wins in the 2021 season, failed to advance into the Last four.

So, in 2022, Alex Bowman will hope to keep winning races, all the while remaining, ‘the hack.’

Alex Bowman Reflects on the ‘Life Lesson’ He Learnt From The Infamous Denny Hamlin Episode