Denny Hamlin, Do I like him or not?

As a NASCAR fan I have struggled with “liking” certain drivers over the years and Denny Hamlin is one of them. While there is no question, Hamlin is an excellent stock car racer, wanting him to do well and win is another question. 

And ya, it is perfectly okay to root for more than one driver. As the longest running reality show and the first sport allowed having reporters embedded with the teams, NASCAR provides much opportunity to “get-to-know” the drivers and as we watch them emerge and make it or not, our opinions can change, especially as the drivers, crew chiefs, and sponsors move around over the course of their careers

Back to Denny Hamlin:

Here are a couple of big reasons why I do not care for Denny Hamlin:

• Going back to his epic battle with JJ a few years ago, when he raced so well and so hard, but ultimately lost. Quite possibly Hamlin lost because he lost the mental battle big time with his Johnson. But it was the sense of entitlement I got from him as he battled, like he has done everything he set out to do and this title is what he deserves. As a lifelong fan of sports and championship chasers, I know all too well that no champion ever wins because he or she “deserves” to win.
• The “all we do is win” comment after Darlington. Does anyone else have a thought about this? Again, because we are fortunate enough as NASCAR fans to have a microphone in every driver’s car, we can often hear their jubilation after a big win like the Southern 500. But when Denny made that comment, I lost a ton of respect for him because in fact, they “lost” or didn’t win nearly as many as “all” up to the point of that race in that season.

Why I like him:

• He comes from a short track background. I pull for all guys who “grew up” racing on short tracks especially the dirt trackers!
• #11 was my number during my entire hockey playing career and even though it is not retired at Avon Old Farms or Amherst College, it is a big part of my life and so naturally I gravitate to anyone playing sport and representing “sticks”.

Now, at this current stage in the 2013 Sprint Nextel Cup season, I want to root for Denny Hamlin. Why? Because I like comebacks. I like it when guys come back from injury. I like watching history unfold in sports live and right now I believe we may just see this as Hamlin is currently 31^st in points before last night’s race (I hesitate to update any further with all the post race penalties this year) and has a chance to make history by coming back and getting into the Chase (Sprint Cup Playoffs) by the end of the 2013 season. He finished second last night at one of the most difficult and mentally challenging races of the year. He is a fighter. And, moving from 31 to the top 20 with more wins than anyone finishing the year 10-20^th is a lot less difficult than finishing in the top 10 and making the chase that way.  My call is that Denny will make the Chase and do it with a lot of “momentum” making him a favorite.

What do you think? How do you feel about Denny Hamlin