Denis Hamlin don’t hesitate to say what he thinks. His podcast allows him to do this every week, with Joe Gibbs Racing driver providing race recaps and covering all racing-related topics of interest.
During the October 9 edition of its “Harmful actions podcast“, the triple Daytona 500 Winner was eager to discuss a topic of particular interest: Jeff Gordon’s critical remarks about him the previous week.
It all started during an October 4 appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio when the Hendrick Motorsports The vice president talked about Hamlin and didn’t sugarcoat what he thought about the driver’s approach and the role of the bad guy.
“What I agree with is that Denny tries to do things to spark conversation. To get people to at least have an opinion, right? Gordon said. “Whether it’s positive or negative, you have an opinion. And the fact that he accepts this, I will congratulate him all day long. Go for it. I wouldn’t want it to be one of our pilots.
The show’s host then asked Gordon why he didn’t want this for his HMS pilots.
“Because it’s too controversial.” For me, it’s a distraction,” he said. “I feel like I want our drivers to build a fan base by winning races and being themselves, but not doing things. And I think Denny is himself to a certain extent, but I think he is also in a way, it’s also like an alter ego.
“Again, I want other guys in the sport to do things like that. If they come to Hendrick Motorsports – and you can call us stiff. You can call us whatever you want. But we run a business, and a business is all about winning races, taking care of your sponsors and letting them market you. Let the sport determine how to market you. Build your brand through who you are on social media and be your best self.
“But if you really want to go out there and focus on winning, it’s hard to do that when you have a lot of distractions. If Denny thrives on this, so much the better. I just don’t think it’s healthy within the organization to have four drivers, going to meetings together and discussing how we’re going to get to the next race to win when the we have to face some of these things.
Denny Hamlin responds to Jeff Gordon
Unsurprisingly, Hamlin jumped at the first opportunity to respond to Gordon’s remarks on his podcast.
“That sounds like a guy I don’t want to go to war with,” Hamlin admitted candidly. “He says, ‘Hey, I’m going to war, but you’re going to the front.’ Did Jeff Gordon say that? It’s How to Stop Growth NASCAR 101, it’s saying, “Oh, this is too controversial for us. Call us stiff.’
Moments later, when podcast co-host Jared Allen specifically addressed the four-time Cup Series champion’s comments about it being a distraction before a competitive meeting, Hamlin acted genuinely perplexed.
“What is a distraction?” That I get booed? » asked Hamlin. “I’m going there on Monday and I’m a professional because that’s what professionals do. They go to a meeting and act professionally. I think he’s been to too many Burning Mans.
“Basically he’s saying I want them to be tidy and not controversial. I couldn’t disagree more. I’m happy to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing. I’m happy to lead my team the same way I lead my team because I would never lead my team by saying things like that. That’s his opinion. He’s allowed to have that opinion, but he certainly thinks it’s absolutely not the right path to take if you want star power in this sport.
Denny Hamlin failed to address the irony of Gordon’s remarks
While Hamlin defended himself with Gordon and what he considers controversial behavior, the JGR pilot surprisingly did not ask the HMS director about his own internal controversy and what many would consider a distraction with the repeated problems between the pilots. Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott.
The two champion drivers have clashed several times over the past two seasons, making headlines for days after each respective incident. Elliott appeared on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio in September after the latest incident at Kansas to address the situation, insisting there was no problem with his teammate.
Hamlin avoided this topic and also did not discuss Elliott’s controversial decision in Charlotte when he intentionally wrecked the No. 11 car and received a one-race suspension.
Was it an accident that Hamlin didn’t address these topics or was he just trying to avoid more controversy? The answer is quite clear.
