Denny Hamlin hasn't been one to mince his words throughout the 2023 season, especially after he debuted his podcast on Dale Earnhardt Jr's Dirty Mo Media platform.
He has often used the show, "Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin," to vent frustrations and concerns about NASCAR and its races throughout the season, and in the process, he has become a favorite heel of some NASCAR fans who dislike the opinions he shares.
Hamlin joined Dale Jr. for a special episode of the "Dale Jr. Download" to close out the year, and they touched on the subject of Hamlin playing the villain in the Cup Series this past season.
It was during the show that Hamlin said that if his mouth were to get him in trouble with team owner Joe Gibbs, it wouldn't be the worst thing if he was fired.
He isn't wrong, as he could easily go and drive for his team, 23XI Racing, which he co-owns with Michael Jordan. He jokingly told Earnhardt that same thought.
"What's the worst that can happen? I mean, Gibbs fires me? Okay, fine. I'll go drive for myself. I mean, I just think about what is the worst that can happen if I'm really true to myself..." Hamlin said.
After hearing that, Earnhardt asked Hamlin if the same would have been true five years earlier.
Hamlin quickly responded, "Maybe not. Probably not publicly."
Hamlin isn't afraid to voice his opinion, and he has much more wiggle room than most of his competition in the garage — he has a long-time relationship with his primary sponsor, and he wins races, though a championship has eluded him so far — so he is free to use his platform to share his views, no matter the potential consequences.
