Bob Pokras
Fox Motorsports Insider
MARTINSVILLE, VA — Denny Hamlin has clearly heard the driver’s introduction boo and has now taken up all his role as heel driver in the NASCAR Cup Series.
After all, after his Bristol won a few years ago, who can forget the line “I beat your favorite driver”?
So few people are surprised that he broke out a flag saying “11 against the world” after Sunday’s victory at Martinsville Speedway.
“That’s me,” Hamlin said. “Photo shoot with me, play pickleball together, play golf with me.
“My friends – it absolutely drives them crazy. It fuels me and makes me feel better.”
Hamlin hasn’t had much opportunity to talk about Smack recently.
Before his smackdown on Sunday, he had not won 31 races since his victory in Dover 11 months ago. And his recent victory was one of his best tracks. He won five Cups on the track, but in 2015 he had his latest victory on Sunday.
So, 44-year-old Hamlin, who has 55 wins to his next goal, 60 career victory with 55 wins, had won another race in his hometown and felt he hadn’t lost a step during the recession.
“I’m probably the king of irrational confidence. Generally speaking, I know I can be the best when I get a car to do it,” Hamlin said. “I don’t feel like I’m holding my car down anytime. Certainly I’m not immune to realizing that my father’s time is undefeated.”
And he didn’t just win. He dominated fashion and did so. He led 274 laps of the last 275 laps in 400 lap races at NASCAR’s shortest point race oval (0.526 miles). He finished 4.6 seconds ahead of Joe Gibbs Race teammate Christopher Bell.
“We had a sense [in the early 2010s] We were better than anyone else,” Hamlin said. I didn’t have to put in all the work I was doing now.
“It’s been getting worse for the last five years that this track is the next best, that. that The ability to control the race, lead the race, and run at the speed needed to pull away when necessary. Today we had that. ”
Hamlin’s flag “11 against the world against 11” is a nod to his Ohio friend. It’s also a nod to his podcast called “Actions crimental.” This is a reference to NASCAR’s action delivery marimental penalty, often cited in penalty reports.
Some say Hamlin is fighting the world in a different way.
As the co-owner of the 23XI race, he is in the ring fighting NASCAR from the track as 23XI and front row motorsports sues the league for alleged anti-trust violations.
Few people have questioned Hamlin’s ability to move off-track drama away from the track, but victory is the best way to silence the idea that he’s doing too much at an elite level.
“I think we’re answering that on a day like today,” said Joe Gibbs, the Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, owner of his racing team, when asked if Hamlin felt he had lost focus. “And really, Denny has always done a lot, he attracts things like that.
“So, no, I’ve never seen anything like that in him. I think he’s on it.”
JGR contest director Chris Gabehart said Hamlin is continuing the job.
“We are all human, so there’s no chance that external influences will not affect us in any way, shape or form,” Gabehart said. “But Denny has been a perfect professional for 20 years and has found a way to distinguish those things better than almost anyone – and is worth 55 times more.
“So, certainly [it impacts him]but give me a break. He is Denny Hamlin. He is amazing. ”
Gabehart moved from the role of Hamlinklu Chief to a company-wide position, trying to get all teams’ cup cars to work.
“He’s a bone-filled dog,” Gabehart said. “[He’s] Like all these guys in front of this garage every week. They are intense. They want to win. And Denny Hamlin is willing to do whatever it takes to win in terms of evolution.
“He’s been in sports for 20 years. Generations of cars, tires and aero packages? That’s something that has to evolve.
At Gabehart’s location, where No. 11 teams are in charge, it’s Chris Gayle. And Gale adapted his style to team members and Hamlin, making the transition seamless. Part of its simplicity can be attributed to Hamlin’s ability.
As Gabehart said, “evolution or death.”
“When you’re in your 30s or something, you have a very long runway in front of you, you’re always thinking.
“It’s true, many races I intend to win between now and the end, I’m going to cherish them a little more. I just understand the value of it from the wisdom you have and how difficult it is.”
Bob Pockras covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for Fox Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500, in stints in ESPN, Sports News, NASCAR Sheen Magazine, and (Daytona Beach) News Journal. Follow him on Twitter @Bob Pokkuras.
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