Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin took a cheeky dig at Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by choosing him as his companion while stranded on a deserted island. This amusing selection was revealed during Hamlin’s ‘Ask me Anything’ segment on Instagram, where he attached an image of the former Xfinity Series champion’s notorious scuffle with Kyle Busch.
The incident that inspired Hamlin’s choice took place during the 2024 All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, where Stenhouse Jr. faced an early exit after Busch tagged his rear during the second round. The aftermath saw Stenhouse Jr. confronting Busch, culminating in a moment that included a punch thrown at the two-time NASCAR Cup champion.
In response to a fan’s question about who he would want alongside him on a deserted island, Hamlin shared the image of Stenhouse Jr.’s altercation and humorously remarked on the situation. His playful jab resonated with fans, capturing the light-heartedness often found in NASCAR discussions.
NASCAR did not take the incident lightly, issuing severe penalties against Stenhouse Jr., including a hefty $75,000 fine. Moreover, two crew members faced multi-race suspensions as a result, while Stenhouse Sr. received an indefinite suspension for his involvement in the incident. This series of consequences demonstrates the sport’s strict regulations regarding conduct among its members.
Amid this buzz, Denny Hamlin also faced scrutiny over his comments regarding the racing quality during the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The race, dominated by Kyle Larson, saw him leading for a whopping 411 out of 500 laps. The low tire-falloff contributed to minimal lead changes, leading to mixed reactions from fans.
During his post-race interview, Hamlin urged fans not to discredit the racing simply because of one driver’s dominance. However, his remarks sparked backlash, prompting him to later address the issue on his podcast, Actions Detrimental.
Despite the drama, Hamlin remains focused on his performance. He finished as the runner-up at Bristol, falling short of a third consecutive victory. As he prepares for the upcoming race at Talladega Superspeedway, he is set to start in 13th position, just ahead of his championship rival William Byron, who he trails by 30 points in the standings. Fans are eager to see how their favorite drivers will fare in this high-stakes 188-lap event.
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