Denny Hamlin a leader or whiner?
Bob Pockrass
Bob Pockrass began covering NASCAR in 1992, primarily covering short-track racing and events. He has worked for Street & Smith's Motorsports Group since 2003.
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AVONDALE, Ariz. – Denny Hamlin: Leader or whiner?
I’ve been trying to figure out which one he is the last couple of months. This is the guy who gets into little testosterone battles with Brad Keselowski and the guy who calls out NASCAR for listening to Jeff Gordon but maybe not talking to other drivers.
I kinda like it. Hamlin is showing a little more brashness and a little more spirit. It’s fun to watch as he’s giving us more of his personality. Hamlin has gradually had more to say the last few years as he’s gotten more comfortable – with his job security as well as his status as a frequent member of the Chase For The Sprint Cup field.
With Tony Stewart gone from the Joe Gibbs Racing stable and Kyle Busch winning but showing off-and-on maturity, it’s up to Hamlin to lead that organization. In some ways, he’s taking charge, leading it by saying no one will push him around and that he’ll take matters into his own hands.
But he is either at the line or has a foot over the line of coming off conceited and aloof. He’s letting a rookie get under his skin. Still, the contact from Keselowski on Saturday certainly looked like intentional payback for the nudge earlier in the lap – if not for several previous run-ins with Hamlin – and Hamlin has a right to be upset.
It seems like Hamlin is going to keep talking – with his mouth and his bumper. The jury’s still out on whether the more he says, the more people will listen or whether they will start tuning him out.
