Denny Hamlin describes the benefits of having a podcast

Denny Hamlin has always had a voice in NASCAR, but that’s been expanded upon due to his podcast in 2023.

Starting with this current campaign, Hamlin joined Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Dirty Mo Media to host his Actions Detrimental podcast. Throughout an hour or so, Hamlin will touch on various topics throughout the NASCAR weekend, and that’s led to some fascinating soundbites throughout the season.

Joining The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck’s weekly 12 Questions article, Hamlin expounded upon the benefits of having a podcast, and the difference it’s made for him.

“Well, it’s been a positive for me,” explained Hamlin. “I make pretty good money at it, and it’s what I was doing in the middle of the media center every weekend anyway. It’s allowed me to expand upon ideas or comments I had. Instead of taking a sentence here and a sentence there from a media session, I’m able to explain a little bit more about a given topic.

“It’s what I love to do. Honestly, as busy as I am owning a team, driving for a team and having a podcast, those are the three things I love. I love running a business, I love driving, and I love talking about our sport.”

Continuing, Hamlin elaborated on what the goal is behind his podcast, and why he would love to see more drivers have their own platform, like he does.

“The goal behind this was to give people insight — give the avid fan an insider’s perspective of what’s going on that maybe you don’t hear about, a perspective from a driver who just got out of the race car three hours ago,” added Hamlin. “Those are all really positives. And I think if more drivers did it, it would help expand more content for our sport. I don’t think you’ll see a lot of it. Many drivers are very bound by their teams on what they say, what they do. I’ve been very blessed to be with sponsors and teams who let me be me, and they’re OK with that.

“So it’ll be tough. It’s gonna be tough to get them to do it. But I’d love to see more drivers have a weekly platform.”

Whether you like Denny Hamlin or not, it’s been fascinating hearing his thoughts on what transpired on the track throughout the season. Hopefully more drivers will follow suit in the coming seasons, after seeing what Hamlin’s been able to do.