Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin is arguably the most disliked driver in the garage. When he broken into the scene as a young driver that wasn’t the case, as he had fair amount of passionate NASCAR fans who loves him. But over the years his high-profile run-ins with fan favorite drivers made him the heel character of the sport.
Currently someone is either a Denny Hamlin fan or hater, as he had a very limited support of the “neutral” fanbase. His 2017 run-in with Chase Elliott at Martinsville was the start of his heel turn and in a recent podcast appearance, he admitted that the clash was the big defining moment for him in NASCAR.
I mean, ultimately I think my – the way fans feel about me probably changed, probably, in 2017 I would say. That was probably, at Martinsville with Chase, that was probably one of the big defining moments for sure.Denny Hamlin said via The Teardown podcast.
He regrets the way he acted with Chase Elliott and admitted that if he ever gets to do it over, he would have taken the right choice. Its controversy that will never stop being talked about and Hamlin can’t run away from it.
Wish I could do that all over again. Certainly, feel like I would have made a lot of different choices in the moment. You know, that would be the one certainly I would like to have back on the controversy, on-track side.Denny Hamlin added.
Denny Hamlin shares his playoff outlook
The JGR veteran is set to line-up alongside Chase Elliott and other 14 driver in the playoff starting this week at Atlanta. While talking about the R-16, he admitted that the races are going to be really tough. He sees a big possibility that one of the front-runners in the championship to get eliminated on the first round.
This first round is tough when I look at Atlanta and the road course race we have in there, and Bristol you just never know what can happen. It could definitely lend itself to a top contender going out in the first round.Denny Hamlin said.
The 23XI Racing co-owner isn’t in a conformable position going into the playoffs because of the engine infraction penalty he got. It will be interesting to see how the season would playout for him as his desperate chase for maiden championship continues.
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