Dale Earnhardt Jr. Brands Denny Hamlin as an “Anomaly” Among NASCAR Drivers

The 2025 NASCAR Cup season marked one of the biggest heartbreaking moments of Denny Hamlin’s career as he lost the championship in the season finale to Kyle Larson despite having the best car, on a dramatic overtime restart. This might have been the moment that will make many elites racers of the sport retire, but not the JGR veteran.

In the recent episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin confirmed he will race in the 2026 season and this has gotten the attention of Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. In the latest episode of his podcast, the veteran declared Hamlin as an anomaly among traditional drivers, as he focused, competitive and sharp as ever at the age of 44.

Denny has bucked the trend up to this point. Denny is an anomaly in terms of what you traditionally see in drivers. He’s competitive, he’s focused, he’s still just as talented as ever; sharp.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.

Further talking about the point, Junior explained the challenges drivers face while racing in NASCAR. He pointed out that it is hard to make the right decisions when driving in 130-40 degrees for hours and despite being in his 40’s Hamlin has been able to deliver on the same or better level than his elite young rivals in the garage.  

When you’re behind the wheel, it’s 130-40 degrees in the car. You’re 300 laps in, and you got to be able to make the right decision and the right move in the right moment. You got to be quick and precise. He’s still got it. In the toughest of moments behind the wheel of a racecar, Denny is as good or better than anybody.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.

Denny Hamlin explained how he moved on from championship loss

In the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin explained how he is slowly moving on from the championship loss that could have broken the majority. He revealed that the respect and admiration he got from the community helped him as at the end of the day that was one thing he is ultimately seeking.

I felt it, and I saw it. I still see it and feel it on social media. It’s gratifying for me because the cups are empty; the trophies mean nothing. There’s only a few people who walk through the front door of this house, there’s only a few people that see it. It’s the respect that we really all ultimately seek.

Denny Hamlin said via Actions Detrimental.

Further talking about the point in the same podcast later, he highlighted how his former teammate Carl Edwards helped him to get over the disappointment. Hamlin has recently been more tuned into the veteran’s words, as it helped him to realize there more to life than racing.

Every time he talks now, I’m very tuned in to what he says, because I respect him so much and I respect a guy that fought his entire life to reach the pinnacle. Then got to the pinnacle and said, ‘You know what? I don’t think this is what I meant to do forever.’ There’s something else that is more for me out there.

Denny Hamlin said.

The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran is taking inspiration from the likes of Edwards and Mark Martin, two drivers that have a similar career as him, to get over the disappointment. It would be interesting to see how it’s going to playout for the veteran in the coming years.

Also Read: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Declares Chase Elliott Can Dethrone Kyle Larson to be the ‘Main Guy at HMS’

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