Denny Hamlin finished 2nd in the first points-paying race at North Wilkesboro since 1996, but the talk around the JGR driver centered more on one of his comments than on the points lead he is currently building. 

Hamlin is now 68 points ahead of his 23XI driver Tyler Reddick, who was the runaway leader in the early part of the season. 

Journalist Jordan Bianchi posted a comment Denny Hamlin made over the radio on his X. The comment read, “Have I mentioned this race is way too [expletive] long?”

Hamlin’s comments were on the 450-lap, 281.25-mile-long race that was broken into stages of 80 laps, followed by two stages of 185 laps each. While the race finished in under three hours, Hamlin’s comments drew a negative response from NASCAR fans. 

One fan commented on Bianchi’s post, “Denny’s always got something to whine and b**** about. Retire already.”

But Hamlin’s comments weren’t isolated; even six-time IndyCar Series winner Scott Dixon shared a similar sentiment. Dixon, who spoke to the press, including Frontstretch post the IndyCar race at Nashville Superspeedway, said, “I find it really hard to watch a Cup race these days… It allows for a nap.”

While on track, drivers complained about race lengths; fans have their opinions coming from a completely different angle, and unfortunately for Hamlin, the disagreement ended up with slanderous comments. 

Fans hit out at Hamlin’s comment

Jordan Bianchi’s post drew attention from several quarters of NASCAR fans, and most comments seemed to come from those who do not like Hamlin as much. 

A fan recalled Hamlin’s comments on making the Charlotte race shorter; the fan wrote, “One of MANY reasons everybody hates Dennis POS Hamlin! Always crying about how long races are, even tried to say the 600 should be shortened few years ago SMH! STFU Dennis! We're not listening!”

Another fan went in the complete opposite direction and wrote, “Denny is getting old. Shut up about race lengths. Races are too short. NOT too long.”

One fan gave the exact details about the finishing time in North Wilkesboro and wrote, “It was over in less then 3 hours and checkered flag waved before 1030pm anyone who is complaining needs to shut up already.”

While most fans took shots at Hamlin and those complaining about race lengths, one fan went in the opposite direction, “That race was over way to quick imo.” 

As the debate continues on race length, the season gets closer to the Chase. Just 5 races remain before the season starts to heat up. 

What are your thoughts on the race lengths? Let us know. 

Read more at RFK Racing Digest.

Written by

Debrup Chaudhuri

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason