Kyle Petty Declares “Being with Michael Jordan” Gave Denny Hamlin the Swagger to Be a NASCAR Superstar

The NASCAR Cup Series race last Sunday at Las Vegas marked history in making, as Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin produced masterful performance to secure his 60^th career Cup win. It was a moment that yet again sealed the TRD veteran’s position as one of the superstars of the sport. But according to Kyle Petty, if not Michael Jordan, things would’ve been different.

The NBA legend Michael Jordan has been close friends with Denny Hamlin for decades, before they became business partners in 2021, fielding cars under the 23XI Racing brand. They have become closer than ever with the venture, and is among the big player of the sport, while also founding themselves in huge controversy with the ongoing charter lawsuit.

According to former NASCAR Cup Series owner driver Kyle Petty, being with Michael Jordan and leading the 23XI Racing helped him to become more versatile. Being vocal in the media, the Actions Detrimental podcast for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s production company, helped to enhance the veteran’s star power and his racing stats as well.

I think Denny became that [so versatile] being with Michael Jordan, being with 23XI [Racing, which he co-owns with Jordan], stepping to a different place, being on a podcast, being as vocal as he has become has elevated him above what his stats are and has enhanced what his stats are.

Kyle Petty said via NASCAR Inside the Race.

The veteran, who used have a heated beef with Denny Hamlin in the past, pointed out that if the TRD racer remained the same as he used to in the past, he wouldn’t have elevated himself into the place he has found himself at the moment. This enhancement, with the association with the right people, help him to grow as an influential NASCAR personal.

I don’t think if Denny had continued down the road that he was going that he was going to be the star or the superstar that we want to place him there…I think these are enhancements that allow him to be that guy.

Kyle Petty added.

Further talking about the point, the eight times Cup Series race winner admitted that he didn’t think the No:11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driver had the same cache and swagger he now has, in the past. The veteran racer also pointed out that in the last dozen of wins the veteran racer has scored, he has been on another level.

He was just a driver, just kicking butt and taking names, and he was going to get to 60 [wins], but I don’t believe he had that cache, that swagger that he has now that he has on his podcast, that he has because of Michael Jordan and 23XI that he has as an owner. I think he’s moved into a different realm in the last 10 or 12 races that he’s won.

Kyle Petty asserted.

Kyle Petty honestly believes no one will pass 60 wins mark after Denny Hamlin

In the same conversation, Kyle Petty shared his thoughts on the drivers the drivers that could secure 60^th career Cup win after Denny Hamlin. He declared none of the drivers in the current garage haven’t proved him wrong about the assertion.

I do believe, honestly in all my heart and soul—and until somebody steps up and proves me wrong—that Denny Hamlin is going to be the last guy that plants his flag at 60 [wins].

Kyle Petty said.

The likes of Kyle Larson and Joey Logano seem to be the only two drivers capable of achieving the mark at the moment. But as of the now they haven’t proved that they have it in them to race consistently long enough to get to the mark. It would be interesting to see if Kyle Petty’s prediction would turn out to be true.

Also Read: Joey Logano Boldly Professes His Love for “One-Race” NASCAR Championship Finale

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