Denny Hamlin receives loudest boos at All-Star race
Mar 20, 2022; Hampton, Georgia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin during the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Denny Hamlin may have been the betting favorite to win Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race, but he was the furthest thing from a fan favorite.
Fans greeted the Joe Gibbs Racing driver with a chorus of boos when he was introduced to the fans at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, N.C.
As for the least popular … Denny Hamlin is the clubhouse leader for boos 😬😬😬 pic.twitter.com/DyI9eozS3q
— PRN (@PRNlive) May 19, 2024
The fan reaction Hamlin received could not have been more different from that of Kyle Larson. The Hendrick Motorsports driver received a massive applause during his introduction.
Huge cheers for Kyle Larson during driver intros! pic.twitter.com/Vi2YDfUgk0
— PRN (@PRNlive) May 19, 2024
Hamlin earned himself the 11th spot following qualifying. Larson, who won last year’s All-Star race, got the 12th spot right next to Larson.
Hamlin did have a few supporters in attendance. The 43-year-old showed he was a true man of the people by rewarding one young fan of his with some free merchandise.
Denny Hamlin just walked across the frontstretch to toss one of his fans a hat. Man of the people! pic.twitter.com/8JMZ9vzcfd
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) May 20, 2024
Hamlin has been outstanding in the NASCAR Cup Series this season. The 2015 All-Star race winner has racked up 447 points and 3 race wins. He ranks third in the standings behind Larson and Martin Truex Jr. respectively.
Hamlin is also the lone driver to hold a lead in all 13 races so far this season. His 607 laps led trails just Larson’s 649.