Denny Hamlin claims Joe Gibbs firing him for his ‘NASCAR-heel antics’ wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen to him

Denny Hamlin has raced for Joe Gibbs Racing his whole Cup career.

Denny Hamlin claims Joe Gibbs firing him for his ‘NASCAR-heel antics’ wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen to him

Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs

The 2023 season of the NASCAR Cup series witnessed Joe Gibbs Racing Denny Hamlin in his purest form as a person as well as a racer. He embraced his persona as the heel charter of NASCAR and ex[pressed opinions he had been holding back for one reason or another over the years. Hamlin was able to do it using his new podcast.

Hamlin joined NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. at the start of the 2023 season to host the new Dirty Mo Media podcast, Action Detrimental. It was without a doubt a resounding success and with the added incentive of the podcast’s success Hamlin didn’t hold back his opinions throughout the year.

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In his recent appearance in the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Hamlin pointed out that he didn’t hold back much in the podcast as well as on the track, because he didn’t find a negative outcome for his actions in terms of it affecting his career. He has 23XI Racing, the team he co-owns with Michael Jordan, he can drive for if he is made to exit JGR.

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What’s the worst that can happen? I mean, Gibbs fires me? Okay, fine. I’ll go drive for myself. I mean, I just think about what is the worst that can happen if I’m really true of myself…
Hamlin said via Dale Jr. Download.

Denny Hamlin might not have said the same five years ago

Dale Earnhardt Jr. after hearing Hamlin’s points asked him a valid question. He inquired whether Hamlin would have been able to express himself the same way four or five years ago when he didn’t have the Cup team.

Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)
Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

In reply Hamlin admitted that he wouldn’t have dared to be as public with criticisms of various factions of the sport now, saying, “Maybe not, probably not publically.” This is because Hamlin wasn’t as deep into the sport five seasons ago as he is now.

The Next-Gen era changed everything for Hamlin. He transitioned from just a veteran racer to a full-pledged team owner with Jordan. He now has the luxury of having a unique perspective to share with the fans both as a driver as well as a team owner.

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