Denny Hamlin points to Kyle Larson incident at Pocono as his turn to NASCAR villain

In the last couple of seasons, Denny Hamlin has gone from NASCAR driver to NASCAR villain and he isn’t stopping any time soon. Hamlin decided after Pocono last season, where he had a run-in on the last lap with Kyle Larson, that he was going to embrace his new role.

Now, you can’t go to a race without hearing a chorus of boos as Denny Hamlin is introduced. Fans don’t just hate him, they love to hate him. It is a role that has long been absent in the sport and it is fitting for Hamlin to be in it at this point in his career.

During a pre-race segment with Kevin Harvick, Hamlin explained what changed. It was that Pocono race where he decided things were going to just be this way from now on. He hasn’t regretted it, either.

“It really took off after I did or did not get into Kyle Larson at Pocono,” Hamlin explained to Harvick. “I just feel like I’ve reached the point of my career where I’m comfortable in my own skin, and there’s something about it that I feed off of when I get into these incidences that just gets the best out of me on the race track.”

"There's something about it that I feed off of." @DennyHamlin talks with @KevinHarvick about embracing the villain role, his relationship with crew chief Chris Gabehart and more. #NASCAR #RaceDay pic.twitter.com/pg3PXzhPWF

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 24, 2024

Sports are the best when you have someone to root for and someone to root against. Denny Hamlin is that driver for many. He has more fans now than maybe ever, but also way more haters than he has ever had.

Last week’s win at Bristol only added fuel to the fire. When Hamlin wins, fans boo and jeer and yell. There are fans ready to run up to the catch fence at races just for a chance to flip Hamlin the bird and scream at him as he celebrates a win.

Denny Hamlin starting P8 at COTA

Despite a lackluster practice session, Denny Hamlin qualified well on Saturday. The team went to work on his car and got the adjustments made. Then, in the qualifying sessions, Hamlin went out and laid down fast laps.

Hamlin won three pole awards at road and street courses last season. So, it’s no surprise to see him qualify well at COTA. It will be a surprise if we see Hamlin move up to the front of the field and contend with Ty Gibbs, Kyle Larson, and other talented road course racers.

There are some drivers, like Shane van Gisbergen and AJ Allmendinger who are favorites. However, they have to move up from outside of the top-10 if they want to win this race. Drivers like Tyler Reddick and Ross Chastain have won here before and are looking to become the first repeat winner at COTA in the Cup Series.

Denny Hamlin has his work cut out for him. He’s going to have a good starting position, but will have to survive in Turn 1 like the rest of the field. Things could get a little wild today and a little weird in Austin, Texas.