Denny Hamlin celebrates a race win with confetti raining down.
Denny Hamlin’s recent foray into the broadcast booth has brought fresh attention to the Denny Hamlin NASCAR broadcasting experience. Just before securing his 58th career Cup Series victory at Dover on Sunday, Hamlin shared his candid reflections on the unexpected challenges of commentating, revealing how the experience tested him in ways racing never quite had.
Hamlin’s shift behind the microphone offered fans a unique glimpse into the world beyond the driver’s seat, but his honest appraisal shows that even a seasoned competitor can find new arenas surprisingly difficult. As Hamlin continues to shape his influence both on and off the track, his broadcast stint raises questions about the demands and opportunities in NASCAR media.
Denny Hamlin Shares the Realities of the NASCAR Broadcast Booth
One day before clinching victory at the Monster Mile, Hamlin stepped into the CW broadcast booth to join Adam Alexander and Jamie Little for NASCAR Xfinity Series coverage. His move drew parallels with figures like Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, and Jamie McMurray, all of whom have smoothly transitioned from race cars to commentary roles. However, Hamlin quickly realized that stepping into the booth was anything but routine for him.
Opening up on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin dismissed the notion that being trackside in a broadcast role gave him any special advantage for race day.
Image of: Denny Hamlin
“I got asked post-race if it was an advantage to be up there,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
He further highlighted the complexity and distractions inherent in live broadcasting:
“In the bus, it’s like I don’t—I’m not distracted with all the other stuff. And so I would say it’s not an advantage at all to go up there and do the booth,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
For Hamlin, the expectation that a bird’s-eye view equaled better insight quickly dissolved among the chaos of producers’ instructions, rapid camera switches, and the push to maintain a dynamic broadcast.
“Truthfully, I’d see a hell of a lot more sitting in my motorhome.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Despite these hurdles, Hamlin acknowledged his on-air colleagues’ expertise, specifically praising Adam Alexander for his ease in navigating the broadcast environment.
“Adam makes it so freaking easy…”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Adjusting to Real-Time Pressure and Loss of Analyst Depth
Hamlin found that the format of live broadcasting clashed with his natural instincts for thoroughly breaking down race strategies and technical details. Instead of dissecting the action deeply, he was required to keep pace with what viewers saw on the screen, curtailing the kind of in-depth commentary he’s known for.
“You’re trying to concentrate on, ‘Okay, what do the people see? Let’s talk about what the people are seeing.’”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
He explained that flexibility is crucial, often requiring commentators to abandon prepared insights and follow the broadcast flow instead.
“You want to be talking about what the camera is showing, and so, even though you’ve got something good you want to say, you’ve got to throw it out the window and go with what’s on the screen.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin described his preferred role in the booth as a technical guide for viewers, but was frequently pulled from that lane by the pace of television production.
“Um, so I just I feel like my role in the booth would be talking about what the drivers need to be looking for, how they need to be setting up passes, things like that,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
He summarized:
“You know, being a little more technical in that aspect. I think that’s kind of my lane.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Valuing Teamwork and Chemistry in Live NASCAR Coverage
Even though Hamlin struggled to fully express his racing analysis, he spoke highly of the camaraderie and seamless teamwork among his broadcast partners. He noted the relief and confidence that came from the professionalism of Alexander and Little, as well as the subtle signals the crew used to coordinate live broadcasts.
“They’ve got great on-air talent that makes things extremely easy,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
He detailed their communication style:
“We would kind of give hand signals of like, you know, when you want to say something… so the other person knows to wrap up.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Looking forward, Hamlin was unequivocal about wanting to step into the booth again, despite the challenge.
“Yeah, I would do it again. I would.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Denny Hamlin’s Career Milestones and Growing Influence
At 44, Denny Hamlin remains a defining presence in contemporary NASCAR. After surpassing 58 wins—recently adding one more in Dover—he is closing in on the exclusive 60-win milestone, joining the likes of Kevin Harvick in the upper echelon of Cup Series victors. Hamlin’s drive for a first championship and relentless consistency keep him in championship conversations season after season.
Hamlin’s reach now extends well beyond his own performance behind the wheel. As co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside NBA legend Michael Jordan, Hamlin is building a legacy off the track as well. Since making its debut in 2021, 23XI has drawn high-profile talent and delivered competitive results, further amplifying Hamlin’s stature in NASCAR’s modern era.
This dual identity—as a full-time driver chasing personal records and as an owner crafting a winning organization—has placed Hamlin among the sport’s most influential contemporary figures, shaping both current competition and NASCAR’s broader future.
While the question remains whether Hamlin’s greatest influence lies on the racetrack or in media, his willingness to explore new roles and share honest feedback underscores a passion for innovation and storytelling. His experiences in the broadcast booth exemplify the adaptability and competitive spirit that have defined his career to date.
The Road Ahead: Hamlin’s Evolving Role in NASCAR
Hamlin’s journey is far from complete. His pursuit of racing milestones coincides with a meaningful expansion into broadcasting and leadership, keeping his name at the forefront of NASCAR discussions. Whether charting strategies from behind the wheel, managing operations at 23XI Racing, or lending his voice to television broadcasts, Hamlin’s impact grows with every new challenge.
The Denny Hamlin NASCAR broadcasting experience has illuminated unexpected demands even for top-tier athletes, spotlighting the skill required by on-air talent like Adam Alexander and Jamie Little. As Hamlin remains undeterred—open to future broadcast opportunities and ever-driven on the racetrack—NASCAR fans can expect him to keep rewriting his role within the sport, inspiring drivers and fans, and setting the pace for what comes next.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin started racing full-time in the Cup Series in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing. Since then, he’s had a remarkable career. He has achieved 51 Cup Series wins and won the Daytona 500 three times (in 2016, 2019, and 2020), earning a substantial income throughout his career.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is set to marry Jordan Fish. They didn’t have the best start when they first met, but things improved the second time around, and they started dating in 2007. Despite facing some challenges, they have stayed very close and are still together.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. How Denny Hamlin Built His $65 Million Net Worth: He has earned over $100 million from NASCAR contracts and race winnings. Additionally, he has received multi-million dollar endorsements from companies like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota. He also co-owns 23XI Racing, a franchise now worth over $100 million.
Q. Are Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin friends?
A. Michael Jordan, who co-owns NASCAR’s 23XI Racing team, complimented his partner Denny Hamlin after Hamlin secured his second Cup Series victory this season at Darlington. Jordan admired Hamlin’s competitive nature and told critics, “If you boo him, it only makes him perform better.”
