During the driver introductions at Daytona International Speedway, Denny Hamlin responds to Daytona prank after a humorous interaction with NASCAR personality Dylan “Mamba” Smith, which quickly gained attention on social media. The light-hearted moment between the veteran driver and Smith turned into a viral exchange that involved playful banter and witty retorts, all unfolding before Saturday’s regular season finale.
A Playful Encounter on Stage at Daytona
The incident began when Dylan Smith, known within NASCAR for his spirited personality, engaged with Denny Hamlin during the pre-race proceedings. Instead of shaking Hamlin’s hand as expected, Smith ran his hand through his own hair. This unexpected move led both men to share a laugh as Hamlin continued across the stage, showcasing the casual side of competition before the high-stakes race.
The lighthearted prank was uploaded to X (formerly Twitter) by Smith, where it quickly garnered attention, with an audience of 50,000 viewers watching the moment. However, the online interaction did not end there. Rather than letting Smith have the final word, Hamlin joined the conversation by playfully responding, beginning a string of witty messages between the two.
Viral Social Media Exchange Captures Fans’ Attention
Following Smith’s post, the two continued their exchange in a public dialogue. Hamlin responded sarcastically, followed by a quip:
“Don’t let the ratios get to you.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Smith answered with confidence, looking ahead to the next race:
“See you on the stage next week Champ.”
—Dylan Smith, NASCAR Personality
The exchange ramped up with Hamlin underlining his own accomplishments:
“[It’s] 3x Southern 500 champ to you. Make sure you get it right when you say my name.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Smith ended the series of posts with a final remark:
“You’ll get what you get, smile, and do your princess wave regardless.”
—Dylan Smith, NASCAR Personality
Background Tensions Over NASCAR Playoff Format
Beyond the prank, Smith has recently been involved in broader debates within NASCAR, specifically while defending the sport’s current playoff format. His comments on X stated:
“the point isn’t to crown the best driver … It’s to crown the best team who executed the best when the pressure was at its highest and the lights were the brightest.”
—Dylan Smith, NASCAR Personality
This opinion was met with criticism from many NASCAR fans and sparked reactions from drivers, including Hamlin, who has openly advocated for changes to the existing system. The conversation brought to light ongoing discussions regarding race formats and championship criteria.
Superspeedway Race Results and Aftermath
The viral online moment unfolded just after a turbulent race at the Daytona superspeedway, where multiple drivers were sidelined during the first stage due to crashes. Denny Hamlin, celebrated for his three Daytona 500 wins, ended the evening in 25th place after being caught in a pileup on Lap 27. The disappointing finish rounded out the regular season and reinforced just how unpredictable the sport can be, both on and off the track.
As NASCAR continues its playoff run, fans and personalities including Hamlin and Smith remain front and center, entertaining audiences not just with their on-track skills but also with their dynamic exchanges off the asphalt.
