Denny Hamlin faced a hostile crowd at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, receiving the loudest boos of all NASCAR drivers introduced before the Cup Series race. In a charged moment, Hamlin defiantly threw the horns hand gesture toward the fans, signaling his frustration and refusal to back down amid the jeers. This reaction highlighted the tense atmosphere surrounding the driver, who has become one of the most polarizing figures in the sport.
Hamlin was not alone in expressing defiance to the crowd. Riley Herbst also threw the horns during his introduction, revealing afterward that he received a flood of negative responses. The clear animosity shown by the fans at Texas aligns with Hamlin’s reputation as a driver many in the racing community love to hate, especially in Southern markets like Texas.
In a 2023 interview with Motorsports.com, Hamlin acknowledged his status as NASCAR’s “heel” and most disliked driver. He reflected on the shift in fan sentiment over recent years, explaining,
I thought I was really just sort of a middle-of-the-road guy when it came to who fans liked or disliked. You had like Joey Logano and the really popular drivers back in the day – Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. – but as they retired, right, people wanted to root against someone.
Hamlin continued,
So, for a while it was Joey. But he hasn’t really had track stuff that’s really fueled it of late and I think I probably have. I’m just kind of the heel of right now.
This candid admission sheds light on the emotional weight Hamlin carries while facing hostile crowds who often direct their frustration at him rather than the sport as a whole.
The persistent boos and Hamlin’s defiant response at Texas suggest ongoing tension between the driver and certain fan bases. This clash could affect his performance psychologically but also fuels narrative drama around him, keeping him in the spotlight. As the season continues, how Hamlin navigates this animosity will likely play a key role in his approach to racing and interactions with fans and media alike.
