After resolving an antitrust legal battle involving NASCAR, Denny Hamlin has insisted that accountability is still owed for the way criticism against him and his team was handled in the media, especially as new evidence has come to light. Hamlin’s recent focus stems from his belief that public commentary during the lawsuit did not align with the facts that have since emerged, prompting him to call for acknowledgment of past misjudgments regarding his role and actions.
Hamlin Voices Frustrations Over Media Portrayal Following Settlement
Although Denny Hamlin, Michael Jordan, and Bob Jenkins reached a settlement with NASCAR to close the high-profile antitrust lawsuit, Hamlin has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with how the media depicted the controversy throughout the legal process. Rather than stepping away quietly after the settlement, the veteran driver from Joe Gibbs Racing openly criticized press coverage, including a specific ESPN article he labeled as propagandistic and misleading in its narrative of the case.
More recently, Hamlin has directed his attention to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, particularly commentary broadcasted when the lawsuit first became public. His discontent with this coverage led him to challenge Channel 90 host and former crew chief Larry McReynolds, questioning both the tone and accuracy of remarks made during that period. After the settlement, Hamlin took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out those early criticisms, seeking an acknowledgment in light of the evidence now available.
“Good morning. Now that the case is settled and the evidence is out, will you or anyone on channel 90 be issuing an apology for what you all said about 23XI/FRM when the lawsuit was filed?” — Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Public Response and Hamlin’s Stand on Accountability
Hamlin’s public request for an apology quickly drew the attention of NASCAR fans, with some questioning whether talk show hosts should be expected to apologize for sharing opinions in real time as news develops. One fan, challenging the premise behind Hamlin’s demand, argued that hosts comment on situations as they unfold, often without access to the full story, and that calling for apology in retrospect might not always be necessary or appropriate.
In response, Hamlin clarified his position, emphasizing that the full release of documents and case evidence after the settlement had made clear many details that were previously unavailable. He reiterated his belief that accountability should matter, especially if public stances and assumptions are proven erroneous once all facts are disclosed. Despite expressing respect for the effort and credibility of Larry McReynolds, Hamlin restated his hope that those who commented early would reconsider their perspectives in light of new information.
Calls for Unity Amid Ongoing Debate
The debate began drawing in other voices from NASCAR media. Brad Gillie from PRN Live acknowledged Hamlin’s frustrations, while suggesting that the sport and its community might be better served by putting the episode behind them and striving for unity. Gillie argued for moving forward gracefully instead of allowing lingering divisions to persist. To this, Hamlin issued a brief but pointed reply:
“Animosity ends with accountability.” — Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin), NASCAR Driver
Specific Criticisms Highlighted by Hamlin
Hamlin went so far as to post examples of the remarks he found objectionable, tracing them back to commentary made in the early days of the lawsuit. He cited statements he believed unfairly criticized 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports for challenging NASCAR’s status quo.
“I believe it was, ‘how dare them for trying to come in and change the sport. 23XI hasn’t been around long enough and FRM wasn’t good enough’. Also how about ‘I dont know what their problem is, 13 other teams signed it’. Just to name a few examples.” — Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
For Hamlin, such opinions—voiced before all facts were available—shaped a public perception that proved at odds with reality once the documents and facts were released. He argued that these strong, influential viewpoints were not just commentary but had the responsibility of being revisited when they are found to be unfounded. The veteran insists that recognizing and owning up to mistakes is necessary for the sport to progress and for animosity to be resolved.
Uncertainty Over Industry Response
It remains unclear how SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, one of the most recognized media voices in NASCAR, will address Hamlin’s pointed criticism and his call for accountability. While the legal proceedings between Hamlin, Michael Jordan, Bob Jenkins, and NASCAR may have ended, Hamlin sees the conversation about responsible commentary and accurate reporting as far from over. As the sport looks toward its future, his demands for accountability set a precedent for how both media and insiders reckon with the impact of their public statements within the tightly-knit NASCAR community.
Well because I believe that once the actual facts and documents were released it was contradictory to the narrative that was being pushed. Larry is a very hard working analyst. Hopefully he took the time to analyze the situation post settlement and revise his thoughts.
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) December 16, 2025
Animosity ends with accountability.
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) December 16, 2025
I believe it was “how dare them for trying to come in and change the sport. 23XI hasn’t been around long enough and FRM wasn’t good enough”. Also how about “ I dont know what their problem is, 13 other teams signed it”. Just to name a few examples.
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) December 16, 2025
