Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin delivered a memorable moment for fans this week, exchanging sarcastic remarks about their respective NASCAR nicknames in a tense, widely noticed social media interaction. The exchange unfolded after a well-known NASCAR troll account on X posted a playful comment, alleging that both Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney share an iconic, expletive-filled middle name, resulting in a quick and animated reaction from Hamlin and Blaney that quickly gained attention within the motorsports community.
The incident began when @nascarcasm posted that both Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney have “F**king” as a middle name, referencing the widespread use of “KFB” for Busch and the growing popularity of “RFB” for Blaney—a variation recently brought to the spotlight by Blaney’s wife, Gianna Tulio, during the first season of the Full Speed documentary. Tulio’s reminder to Ryan Blaney not to lose his “RFB spirit” in the second season reinforced the nickname’s presence in fan conversations and NASCAR culture.
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, could not resist reacting. He referenced an old slogan and hinted that both Blaney and Busch had copied it, writing with a subtle edge that the drivers “ripped off” an earlier phrase. Ryan Blaney did not hold back in his retort, landing a stinging jab at Hamlin by suggesting that the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s real nickname was “FDH” instead of “DFH,” pointedly twisting Hamlin’s initials as part of the exchange.
While Kyle Busch, currently with Richard Childress Racing, and his brother Kurt both share the official middle name “Thomas,” both have been synonymous with tough-guy nicknames like “Rowdy” and “Wild Thing.” For Blaney, his previous moniker was “YRB” (Young Ryan Blaney). Despite the playful banter, Ryan Blaney’s actual middle name is Michael—adding a layer of irony to the nickname drama. Denny Hamlin, meanwhile, owns a full name of James Dennis Alan Hamlin, factually distancing himself from the nickname rumors but not from the emotional heat of the exchange.
The intensity between Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin was amplified by recent events at Texas Motor Speedway, where Blaney, after charging from the rear of the pack, made a much-criticized lane choice with only 23 laps remaining. Both commentators and Hamlin, observing after his own early race exit, voiced disbelief at Blaney’s decision to take the inside lane behind Kyle Larson, relinquishing the front row to Michael McDowell. The move backfired, and both Blaney and Larson fell behind in the chaos, allowing McDowell to seize command and Blaney’s teammate, Joey Logano, to ultimately win.
Ryan Blaney did not shy away from accountability, openly acknowledging his “dumb decision” post–race. Despite his resilience, Blaney remains the only Penske driver without a win this season, a fact surely adding a layer of frustration as he engages in heated public banter.
This clash between Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin serves as both a reflection of the mounting competitiveness on the track and an example of the tension that spills over onto social media, keeping fans hooked and emotions running high. With every exchange, even as the nicknames fly, the stakes grow, and the intensity of NASCAR’s ongoing battles promises more drama ahead.
