Denny Hamlin admits he got emotional watching 'NASCAR: Full Speed'

As NASCAR: Full Speed debuted to the masses on Netflix, Denny Hamlin was among the drivers the series decided to focus on.

The brash, outspoken wheelman for Joe Gibbs Racing, who doubles as a team owner for 23XI Racing, was one of the most interesting parts of the documentary. His chase for his first NASCAR Cup Series title pulled at the heartstrings, and while Hamlin admitted he’s not “much of a cryer,” it got him when he was watching the series.

“The little I know Ross [Chastain]. The little I know of William [Byron.] The little I know of Joey [Logano]. I feel like everyone was portrayed as they are. I didn’t see any extra dramatization, I guess I could say, of someone’s character that isn’t real,” Hamlin stated, via his Actions Detrimental podcast.

“Obviously, from my perspective, it’s tough to watch, in the sense of I know how this story ends, and I know how hard I want it, and to me, I’m not much of a cryer, but I did, when I watched my dad’s interview. You just get a little bit more perspective of what it would mean to them. So it was a different perspective, for sure. I certainly think that they did a really, really good job.”

It’s good to know Netflix did a phenomenal job capturing the real-life personas of the drivers they were following, especially when the Cup Series has become so PR-oriented with everything their drivers do. Seeing a different side of NASCAR’s best could work wonders in the future.

As for Denny Hamlin, it’s remarkable the series had such an effect on him. Who knows what it’ll lead him towards in the future, but the Joe Gibbs Racing wheelman will be looking to make 2024 his best season yet, and cap it off with a title.

Denny Hamlin believes NASCAR: Full Speed portrayed him accurately

Moreover, Denny Hamlin hasn’t been one to shy away from the limelight, especially in the latter stage of his NASCAR Cup Series career.

That’s part of why he was at the front and center of NASCAR: Full Speed — Netflix’s fantastic look inside the sport of NASCAR and the people who make it go. The five-episode show has been receiving rave reviews, and Hamlin plays a big role in that. 

Speaking with FOX’s Bob Pockrass, Hamlin elaborated on how he’s portrayed in the series, believing it was an accurate look into his mind both on the track and off of it.

“Certainly I feel like it portrays me correctly,” Hamlin said. “You really kind of worry at times, when you don’t have editing rights, you don’t have any of that. I loved it. This is Netflix’s project. They got to do whatever they wanted to do with it. 

“I thought that my, what I am on the racetrack, what I am off the racetrack, was portrayed correctly.”

That’s always what worries athletes in these sport documentaries, so that’s good to know Hamlin believes he was done justice by the crew over at Netflix. He plays a pivotal role in the show, embracing the fact that he’s a controversial figure amongst fans, and playing into it throughout the episodes. 

Whether you’re a NASCAR fan, have a strong opinion on Denny Hamlin or just a casual looking for something to binge, NASCAR: Full Speed is looking like a hit. Fire it up if you have some time and can’t stop scrolling Netflix, and see exactly what the veteran NASCAR wheelman is talking about.