Denny Hamlin, a NASCAR veteran recognized for his candidness, shared insights into his complicated relationship with Darrell Waltrip during the 2011 NASCAR Cup Series season, shedding light on how he felt underappreciated for his efforts in the storied #11 car. This episode adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR legacy, especially as it relates to recognition among the sport’s most distinguished figures.
Hamlin’s Reflections on Recognition From an Icon
Throughout his time in the NASCAR Cup Series, Denny Hamlin has driven the legendary #11 car, contributing to its celebrated history. Despite his many accolades with Joe Gibbs Racing, including 60 Cup Series wins, Hamlin has spoken openly about feeling overlooked by Darrell Waltrip, himself a celebrated champion and former #11 driver. These feelings surfaced publicly in 2011 during an interview with Jeff Gluck, where Hamlin described an awkward beginning to the season due to what he perceived as insufficient acknowledgment of his accomplishments from Waltrip.
“I kind of had a tiff with Darrell Waltrip at the beginning of the year. All I ever heard about was the 11 car was a couple wins away from being the most winning car number. Given I’m in a very elite group when it comes to that – I look at the drivers who raced it before me, and Darrell definitely had his fair share of wins in it. But I never felt like Darrell gave me very much credit, you know?”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
The #11 car has had a remarkable legacy, with names like Cale Yarborough and Junior Johnson etching their place in NASCAR history during the 1970s. Following Yarborough, Waltrip experienced a period of great success in the 1980s. Hamlin, having now spent two decades with Joe Gibbs Racing, continues to strengthen this winning legacy, notching emotional Daytona 500 wins and sustained playoff appearances.
Finding Inspiration in Matt Kenseth’s Consistency
Outside of the debate over recognition and legacy, Hamlin has also spoken about the drivers who shaped his approach to racing. While reflecting on his career, he drew a connection to Matt Kenseth, another star in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, pointing out the similarities in their racing styles and philosophies.
“I’d say probably Matt Kenseth. I think my style is very similar to his in the sense I’m a bit more passive on the racetrack, I guess you could say. He was a guy that, until last year, never won a ton of races but was just ultra-consistent. And that’s what I was for the first four years of my career – I was the guy who was always just there and solid, every week. He never tore up a lot of equipment, so I was like, ‘You know, that’s a guy I would like to model myself after.’”
— Denny Hamlin, Driver
Matt Kenseth’s career provides a strong example of reliability and steady performance, having achieved 39 victories and 331 top-10 finishes over nearly 20 years. Kenseth secured the 2003 Cup Series championship and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2023, reinforcing the idea that consistency offers a path to long-term success in NASCAR.
The Impact on Hamlin’s NASCAR Legacy
With Hamlin’s remarkable statistics and significant moments like his Daytona 500 triumphs, the question of recognition remains relevant to the narratives within NASCAR. The backdrop of past legends such as Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip, along with Hamlin’s reference to Matt Kenseth, provides valuable context for understanding how today’s top drivers are both shaped by and strive to move beyond comparisons.
As Denny Hamlin continues to compete at a high level in NASCAR’s premier series, the attention on his place in its legacy is likely to persist. His honest reflections about recognition and his aspiration to follow consistent, successful examples like Kenseth suggest that his focus stays on further cementing his reputation among NASCAR’s all-time greats.
