Denny Hamlin has leaned fully into his recent reputation as the villain in NASCAR, a role he discussed openly during a notable appearance on Dirty Mo Media’s Actions Detrimental podcast with Kyle Busch. The shift in Hamlin’s public perception comes after a season marked by both remarkable achievements and high-profile on-track incidents involving several prominent drivers.
Taking On the NASCAR Villain Persona
Hamlin’s embrace of the villain role has become increasingly apparent, especially following his record-setting 2025 season. With six race victories, he tied Kevin Harvick for tenth place on the all-time NASCAR wins list, reaching a 60-win milestone. However, his aggressive driving and controversial run-ins with rivals—most notably an incident with his own 23XI Racing team driver Bubba Wallace—have kept him at the center of headlines and heated post-race discussions. The clash with Wallace, which occurred while Wallace was leading, paved the way for Chase Elliott to capitalise and seize victory. Despite Wallace expressing disappointment directly to Hamlin, the two managed to resolve their differences out of the public eye.
During his podcast conversation with Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin acknowledged the new position he occupies within the sport’s personality spectrum, stating,
“I’ve somewhat taken your villain role. It’s somewhat fun to me.”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Kyle Busch, who was once the primary target of boos and criticism from fans, responded by saying,
“When you can have the clout to be able to back up what you say, you can act the fool all you want because you can back it up. I have nothing to back it up right now, so I had to put the black hat on the shelf and pull off the white one,”
— Kyle Busch, Driver
Hamlin shared a memorable moment from a NASCAR gathering that illustrated the public’s shifting sentiments, particularly in the company of Carl Edwards:
“I’ll never forget we were there for the NASCAR 75 Greatest Drivers thing,” Denny Hamlin added, “Kyle is getting cheered and I just get, I mean, just booed out of the place. Carl [Edwards] is like. Wait a minute what happened since I’ve been gone. You know, Kyle’s all of a sudden the good guy?
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Highs on the Track and Challenges Off It
Beyond his popularity shifts and racing accolades, Hamlin’s year included a significant legal challenge. He became a key figure in the high-profile antitrust trial involving NASCAR, taking the witness stand to give an emotional account of his career origins and motivations. The landmark settlement that followed brought notable gains for his 23XI Racing team, providing leverage and concessions that reshaped team dynamics within the sport.
Confronting Critics After 23XI-FRM Settlement
Even after the courtroom drama, Hamlin faced outspoken critics, including long-time SiriusXM NASCAR Radio host and crew chief Larry McReynolds. McReynolds had voiced skepticism regarding claims that NASCAR treated Hamlin’s team unfairly during the charter negotiations—citing that powerhouse teams like Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports had agreed to the deal’s terms. After the settlement between 23XI Racing and NASCAR, Hamlin publicly reached out to challenge these analysts for their judgment, writing,
“Good morning. Now that the case is settled and the evidence is out will you or anyone on channel 90 be issuing an apology for what you all said about 23XI/FRM when the lawsuit was filed,” Hamlin wrote in an X post.
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Many NASCAR fans celebrated Hamlin’s willingness to push back against both competitors and institutional critics, hailing him as a defender of smaller teams and a vocal advocate for fair treatment across the garage. His willingness to stand at the crossroads of controversy and performance has both polarized and energized the sport’s fanbase.
What the Future Holds for Hamlin and NASCAR
Denny Hamlin’s embrace of the villain archetype has made him one of the sport’s most compelling and debated figures. His presence continues to shape NASCAR’s ongoing narrative, from the action on the track, to significant legal battles, and through outspoken exchanges with media and analysts. As the next season unfolds, all eyes will remain on Hamlin—whether he continues to wear the black hat or forges a new arena for NASCAR’s most talked-about personalities.
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