Denny Hamlin sent shockwaves through the crowd at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, drawing attention by taunting Texas Longhorns fans during the NASCAR Cup Series Wurth 400. In a surprising turn, the well-known driver, who competes for Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 11 toyota/”>Toyota, used the driver introductions as his stage to flash the infamous “Horns Down” gesture, a move widely recognized as a taunt against the University of Texas football program. By taking this bold step, Denny Hamlin instantly became the subject of both excitement and controversy among fans watching the race in Texas.
Denny Hamlin, an outspoken Virginia Tech Hokies supporter, is no stranger to collegiate sports rivalries. His playful jab at the Texas fan base comes as both a show of personality and as a nod to longstanding football traditions. The “Horns Down” gesture, which mocks the celebrated “Horns Up” sign of Texas fans, immediately got the crowd buzzing and added a charged atmosphere to the event. Hamlin, whose loyalty lies with the Hokies, also keeps strong ties with Ohio State, a team that recently faced the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Cotton Bowl back in January, with the Buckeyes emerging victorious before moving on to win the championship against Notre Dame.
During a post-race interview earlier this season, Denny Hamlin spoke about his connection with the “Ohio Against The World” mantra, sharing,
My buddies, my Ohio State fans that I hung out with at the end of last year, we always had the Ohio State Against the World, so now it’s the 11 Against the World.
This statement ties directly into Hamlin’s public sports persona and willingness to wear his fandom on his sleeve, even when facing rival territories.
The incident may fuel future tensions between Denny Hamlin and Longhorns supporters and underscores how sports rivalries can transcend individual competitions, especially when major events collide. With Ohio State and Texas scheduled to meet again next year to kick off the college football season, many fans are already wondering if Denny Hamlin will make another high-profile appearance. What is certain is that his enthusiastic gesture at Texas Motor Speedway will be remembered by both NASCAR and college football fans for some time to come.
