One NASCAR driver is used to a mixed fan base. That is none other than Denny Hamlin, touted as the sport’s villain. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has a long history of receiving brutal boos from enraged fans of his topmost Cup Series rivals. Ahead of the 2025 Cracker Barrel 400 race at Nashville Superspeedway, though, it seemed a little uncalled for.
No love for Denny Hamlin in a joyful time?
Well, the villain status hardly matters anymore. It has been a long time since the JGR veteran has embroiled himself in controversies with Kyle Larson or Chase Elliott. Moreover, Denny Hamlin and his longtime partner Jordan Fish are expecting to give birth to the couple’s third child, their first boy, at any moment. This joyous occasion compelled Hamlin to tap Xfinity Series veteran Ryan Truex to sub for him in case he needed to rush to the hospital for the delivery.
Denny Hamlin was guaranteed a playoff waiver in case he missed the race. This allowance somehow did not sit well with a few of his detractors. During the Driver Introductions ceremony, Hamlin found a healthy dose of boos directed his way. Journalist Jeff Gluck updated about the unfortunate incident on X: “Denny Hamlin is still here and got big-time boos in driver intros.”
Denny Hamlin is still here and got big-time boos in driver intros.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) June 1, 2025
Meanwhile, however, Ross Chastain received the loudest cheers contrary to Denny Hamlin. That makes sense considering Chastain’s thumping victory at Charlotte last weekend. Gluck wrote, “Ross Chastain got maybe the most cheers I’ve ever heard for him.”
Stay tuned for more updates!
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