“Didn’t you talk proclaim the championship all season?”- Fans mercilessly taunt Denny Hamlin for falling short of the Championship 4 yet again

Denny Hamlin's career best finish has been the vice champion spot in the 18 years of his career.

“Didn’t you talk proclaim the championship all season?”- Fans mercilessly taunt Denny Hamlin for falling short of the Championship 4 yet again

Denny Hamlin (Credits: IMAGO)

Often regarded as one of the best drivers never to have won a title, Denny Hamlin keeps up his winless streak in 2023 as well. His rollercoaster of a season took a bittersweet turn at Martinsville Speedway, and he shared his feelings on X following his narrow miss to the Championship 4 race. Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, was in a must-win situation after a power steering failure in the previous race left him with a 17-point deficit.

Throughout the season, Hamlin had been determined and vocal about pursuing a championship, proclaiming, “This is our year.” However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he found himself outside the Championship 4 bubble heading into the penultimate race at Martinsville.

Hamlin started the race in fourth place, and there were early signs of promise as he dominated Stage 1 and finished second in Stage 2. However, victory remained just out of reach. It was Ryan Blaney who ultimately secured the win at Martinsville, breaking a 59-race winless streak. Blaney’s victory marked a significant turning point in his season, as it secured his spot in the Championship 4 race alongside Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and William Byron.

Despite his disappointment, Hamlin addressed his fan base on X, reflecting on the season’s journey and saying, “Been a hell of a ride. Thank you 11 fans.” This message encapsulated his resilience and gratitude for the support he had received throughout the season. However, this tweet was met with massive backlash from fans of other drivers and other factions of the NASCAR fandom.

Fans speculate that Denny Hamlin’s retirement is on the horizon

Hamlin, often regarded as NASCAR’s heel, faced fan backlash after a recent tweet. Criticisms poured in, highlighting his attitude and championship misses. One fan cruelly compared him to Mark Martin, the Xfinity Series legend with no Cup title, but ridiculed him, saying Hamlin is like “Mark Martin, but without any class.”

Denny Hamlin and Mark Martin
Denny Hamlin and Mark Martin (Credits: USA Today)

After his win at Bristol, the JGR driver openly addressed the boos from the crowd, stating, “Hey, I beat your favorite drivers tonight, all of them.” Fans wasted no time in reminding him that their favorite drivers had indeed outperformed him that night with a tone of sarcasm. The audience taunted him for his season-long claims about winning the title, which ultimately fell short.

While a few fans offered words of support to the disappointed driver, most reactions revolved around ridiculing Hamlin. However, a segment of fans noted the abruptness of the tweet and speculated that he might be signaling retirement, similar to how Carl Edwards did in 2017.

As the season finale approaches, all eyes will be on the Championship 4 drivers as they battle for the Cup championship. For Denny Hamlin and his fans, the journey may have had its ups and downs, but the pursuit of victory and the passion for racing remain undiminished. The Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway will now feature Blaney, Larson, Bell, and Byron. Hamlin, despite the disappointment at Martinsville, will continue to race with determination and passion. 

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