NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin recently stirred some jest-filled controversy by choosing Ricky Stenhouse Jr. as his deserted island companion. The lighthearted jab was part of Hamlin’s ‘Ask me Anything’ Instagram segment, wherein he included a picture of Stenhouse Jr.’s notable clash with fellow racer, Kyle Busch. The joke takes root from Stenhouse’s early exit from the 2024 All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, where an on-track incident led to a heated altercation.
In the midst of the race’s second round, Stenhouse Jr.’s outing concluded prematurely when his rear was tagged by Busch. The end of the race incited a hot-tempered confrontation between Stenhouse Jr. and the two-time NASCAR Cup champion, culminating in Stenhouse Jr. throwing a punch. Following the incident, NASCAR slapped Stenhouse Jr. with a hefty $75,000 fine, and his crew members and father faced suspensions as well.
Hamlin, who plays for Joe Gibbs Racing, responded to a fan’s question about his ideal deserted island partner during an Instagram Q&A. He humorously attached an image of Stenhouse Jr.’s confrontation with Busch and delivered acerbic wit through his choice of words. Apart from this incident, Hamlin has recently been in the news for commenting on the racing quality at the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, where Kyle Larson dominated the proceedings leading for 411 of 500 laps.
In the aftermath of the race, Hamlin pleaded with fans not to disparage the event simply due to a single racer’s dominance. His statements drew criticism, which he addressed on his podcast, Actions Detrimental. Currently, Hamlin sits at 13th position for the upcoming race at Talladega Superspeedway, three places ahead of William Byron, his championship adversary.
Hamlin’s sly deserted island companion pick certainly adds a playful element to the increasingly high-stakes season. His standing 30 points behind Byron in the drivers’ standings and the upcoming 188-lap event create an enticing atmosphere for what lies ahead in the NASCAR All-Star race, promising thrilling chases, tenacious rivalries, and today’s top news in the sport.
