During the recent Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin became involved in a public online dispute with NASCAR insider Mamba Smith. The disagreement originated after the Richmond race when Smith remarked that the championship did not necessarily recognize the best driver, a comment that stirred criticism among several NASCAR Cup Series drivers, including Hamlin.
The tension escalated when Smith, a co-host of the Happy Hour podcast, staged a fake handshake with Hamlin during the driver‘s introduction at Daytona, intensifying the drama on social media platforms. In response, Hamlin took to X to engage directly with Smith, trading sharp remarks in a back-and-forth exchange.
The dialogue included Hamlin’s retort,
“
[You’re] so cool bro. Don’t let the ratios get to you.”
to which Smith responded,
“
See you on the stage next week Champ,”
followed by Hamlin’s comeback,
“
[It’s] 3x Southern 500 champ to you. Make sure you get it right when you say my name,”
and Smith’s final reply,
“
You’ll get what you get, smile, and do your princess wave regardless,”
highlighting the ongoing rivalry.
Hamlin’s impressive career includes three victories at the Cook Out Southern 500 in 2010, 2017, and 2021. This year’s Southern 500 is set for August 31, 2025, at Darlington Raceway and will be broadcast live by MRN, HBO Max, USA Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Hamlin Reflects on Intense Duel with Teammate Chase Briscoe at Dover
On July 20, 2025, Denny Hamlin earned his fourth win of the season at Dover Motor Speedway after a fierce confrontation with his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Chase Briscoe. The closing laps featured a tense battle between the two drivers as Hamlin fought to secure the victory.
Speaking to Cup Scene in a post-race interview, Hamlin described the challenge of competing closely with a teammate:
“
Yeah, that’s the toughest, it’s the toughest line to walk truthfully because if it is someone else, you don’t mind running them up in the fuzz, right? If it’s a teammate, you gotta sit down, you gotta see that guy tomorrow afternoon. So it’s just a little different in that aspect.”
He also recalled his caution during the closing moments, saying,
“
But you know, when we went back, right before we went back, Chris and I were walking back to our cars, and I said, ‘Just don’t wipe me out.’ I was just, you know, I was afraid with him on, you know, we got old tires. I don’t know what the grip level of the track is. I just didn’t want JGR to clean itself out and then, you know, somebody else win it,”
highlighting the delicate balance between competitive aggression and team unity.
Current Season Standings and What Lies Ahead for Hamlin
Denny Hamlin continues to demonstrate strong performance this NASCAR Cup Series season, currently holding third place in the points standings with 2,029 points accumulated over 25 races. His season stats include four wins, 13 top-ten finishes, 11 top-five finishes, and one pole position. He maintains a 23-point lead above the playoff cutoff threshold, underscoring his competitive positioning as the season progresses.
With the Southern 500 approaching at Darlington Raceway, Hamlin’s experience and success at the event make him a driver to watch. The escalating rivalry with insiders and the intense on-track battles add narrative complexity to his season as NASCAR fans anticipate how these dynamics will influence upcoming races and the championship outcome.
