Has Denny Hamlin Ever Done Anything Wrong That He Took The Blame For?

Remember when Denny Hamlin couldn’t win a race early in the season? He publicly blamed that on his crew.

Remember when Denny Hamlin crashed at Dover a couple weeks ago? He blamed that on the fact that Kyle Petty didn’t know well enough to get out of the way of NASCAR’s self crowned golden child.

And Friday at Talladega? Well according to Hamlin it's the media's fault he was in trouble again.

NASCAR officials brought Hamlin into the pits early during the first Nextel Cup Series practice session of the weekend Friday at Talladega Superspeedway in preparation for Sunday’s UAW Ford 500 and later announced that he would have to sit out 15 minutes of the second practice session of the day.

Officials parked Hamlin late in the first session because he ignored an order from NASCAR officials to stop bump drafting.

The persnickety Hamlin played the role of spoiled brat perfect though, telling the Charlotte Observer: "I was finished anyway, but they parked me there at the end.”

So did Hamlin fess up to ignoring NASCAR’s orders? Nah. He did what he has become spectacularly adept at this season. NASCAR’s reigning king of young driver entitlementm instead of taking the blame for what he did wrong, passed that blame on.

“We asked them what the difference between us and everyone else out there and they said we were on TV when we were doing it,” Hamlin said. “I guess we'll blame the daggum television cameras. They can park us 15 minutes, they can park us an hour, they can park us for the rest of the day. We're done."

Shawn Courchesne, 3:16 p.m.

Comments

[cmd]

Shawn you are making me laugh here. Don't you have anything better to write about? You must pray at night that Denny says or does the wrong thing so you can post an article. Denny didn't plan on participating in happy hour and that's exactly what he said. What was wrong with that? Shawn, you really need to get a life.

[Tony]

Duh, DDQ. (Denny Drama Queen) Thats how officials see without a doubt who's doing what on a big track. If you aint being filmed how else can they say for sure that anybody was bump drafting aggressively? Go by the driver's word?? DDQ's word? HAAAAAAA ha ha ha ha. I bet DDQ's PR person wears hip boots constantly to wade through his employer's ever increasing B.S.

Since it wasn't DDQ's fault, (as always) but the network that was filming, maybe said network should not focus in on the 11 car the rest of the weekend.

[Ken Conrad Jr]

It's to bad NASCAR is so politicaly and money motivated now. Back in the day these "fellow" drivers wouldn't take this $*!+ from Hamlin. They would give him an old fashion Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker behind the woodshed $%# whoppin'.

[Tater01]

AMEN!!!! The baby has learned to whine well from his teammate in the 20...and taken it to the next level.

I can't wait to hear his excuse when he causes the "Big One" on Sunday...that will probably be NASCAR R&D's fault for designing a new car, right?

[Ray]

Slammin Hamlin acts lie the pressure is getting to him

[Connie]

DH has become a legend in his own mind. He has shown that, at one point in his childhood years, his parents failed to discipline him when they had the opportunity. The BOY needs to grow up and learn to take responsibility when it's his fault. Really sounds like he is still in need of a babysitter, who needs to tell him the difference between right and wrong, since his parents failed in that aspect as well.

[Diane]

I could see this coming by Hamlin's actions last year. He has gotten progressively worse with his attitude this year. I like drivers who have some ego and self-confidence. But Hamlin has gone over the top. Doesn't he know he's just a second-year driver and needs to "JUST SHUT UP DENNY".

[WRB]

He is a jerk.

[katie]

I really dont see the point of everyone bashing Denny Hamlin. #1 He has never had a reputation of purposely causing accidents to win or get ahead of all the other drivers. He may have gone too far bumping Petty out of the way, but he has publicaly apologized for that and didnt gain anything since he went into the wall with Petty. #2 I really dont think its his fault that he has a horrible role model(Tony Stewart) and DH isnt even half as bad a whiner as #20 is, even though the whinning has rubbed off (only alittle) and #3 People are only bashing DH because of the recent events and everyone has no life. Really if someone like Dale Jr. or Gordon were bump drafting everyone would say "Oh thats okay" but since its DH they say "Omg what a jerk, what a spoiled brat". Denny and his crew chief just asked a simple questions: "What is the difference between me and everyone else?" The real truth is, the answer is Nothing. If everyone else was doing it, on tv or off tv whatever, everyone else should have also gotten in trouble, not just Hamilin. Really the officials blamed it on the tv instead of telling the truth, which is "Oh we dont like you and we have nothing better to do so...Honestly, give Denny a break, hes a good smart driver with just some bad luck.

From Shawn:
#1: Is this what you're calling a "public apology?"
"No matter what you do, Kyle's going to be right, and a lot of what he did was right," Hamlin said. "You never want to be involved in an incident and especially with Kyle because he's respected a lot like Mark Martin is in the garage. So I've got to just learn to grow up as far as that's concerned."
That really doesn't sound like apology to me. That sounds like someone saying I won't mess with Kyle Petty again.
#2: Quality call right there. Blame everything Denny does on Tony Stewart. There's a good argument.
#3: Denny is getting picked on by NASCAR. Another wonderful argument. Yup, that's swing and miss number 3 for you.
Thanks for playing.

[Tony]

Dang, how did i miss CMD's post? nobody has to pray at night for DDQ to make an arse of himself..he takes care of that on his own. Shawn's job is here and the newspaper. Its pretty dam refreshing for a reporter to call them like he sees them instead of reporting the feel good fluff all the time. If you have a legit argument for your boy DDQ, then by all means let us have it. If not, don't make it personal. I will admit, the thin-skinned folks like you do make me laugh. Bless your heart.

[Sara]

Shawn, you make some excellent observations, but I gotta be honest. Denny's attitude doesn't really bother me. It succeeds in making him look like he's confused NASCAR with Hollywood, where apparently crap is the tolerated norm, but, by and large, it doesn't hurt the sport. NASCAR's pretty good about being the strict "Dad" laying down the law universally. I rarely see anything I would call "bending the rules" for superstars. Take Gordon today - a pit road penalty by his crew, even a minor one, sent him back down pit road. As for admitting mistakes, we can't expect everyone to have the depth of character Jr. does, like when he took out Kyle Busch last week. He's not the consummate gentleman that Carl Edwards is, or contrite like Dale Jr. when he messes up, but that's because he's his own person. Denny's personality is just one more thing that adds flavor to the sport, and I think it's perceived that much more offensive because we have guys like Earnhardt Jr. and Edwards to compare him with. Denny Hamlin is the perfect marriage of the 2004 and 2005 Rookies of the Year - a puffed-up ego hidden inside an angelic face. God help us...

[Karl]

Denny is by far the biggest baby in NASCAR. The Busches get a lot of the coverage for that, but both of them at least are very self-critical and sometimes take the blame when they don't even deserve it. Denny has never done that. Numerous times he's also flat out lied when video showed otherwise. Anyone who believes that he was done practicing is clueless.

Let's also remember that Denny didnt get out of the car to go after Kyle until Petty was walking away. We all know what that kind of dude is called.

"Diva" is the perfect term for Denny, especially considering the fact that he's never been seen with a woman on his arm.

.....I'm just sayin'!

[Katie]

Actually Denny Hamlin is far from a “Diva” I must say, any race car driver is. You people talk crap about them everyday, when they are risking their lives everyday to entertain us. So, even if you don’t like them very much, show a little respect because they could die and then I hope you won’t be able to live with yourselves. They are doing what they love, racing cars, but its not up to them top have cameras shoved in their face all day. Its up to the sport to put it on TV, so when they mess up or make one little mistake their reputation is at risk and you people go all out making fun of them. Denny went into the sport being a shy low-key kid who just wants to make it to the top. He has been called a coward, a loser, and no one wants a reputation like that. If he kept up his position of a shy rookie, he is going to get stepped on, so he is trying to toughen himself up, make himself more known, and trying to show other drivers and fans he is not going to stand being put down and stepped on anymore, but instead you guys make up another horrible reputation: golden child, spoiled, brat, diva, drama queen. Enough is enough. When Tony Stewart bumped DH in the 2007 Pepsi 400 Denny lost control(not his fault). Denny stood up for himself and wouldn’t take his Own Team mates crap and blame. Denny was the better man because he put the blame on himself even though he knew Tony hit him and it wasn’t Denny’s fault.

[Adrianne]

#1 I would be honored to be on his arm any day verses the other 11 in the chase!! #2 Your right it is only his second year of racing but yet he is competeing for the most covenant title in stock car racing!! #3 If I recall correctly he DID lead the most laps Sunday and that alone should say something! #4 I believe this is were he finished........NO practice needed!!! #5 As far as being a baby goes......take a long hard look at Gordon, Johnson, Montoya and the Busch brothers.... tissues anyone!! #6 One thing he has learned from Tony is to stand up for himself and that should be respect enough! #7 Let's talk about respect......It is earned and I believe Denny has earned his.....Petty on the other hand should have never smacked his helmet while he was in the car.....(wuss move on his part)and exactly how many races has Petty won this year!!! #8 Diva..... the only people you hear calling him a diva are the race fans that weigh 300 lbs and couldn't fit in the car if they wanted to......OH and the drivers left in his dust! #9 Denny Hampster huh? That is a good one....I guess that is because he goes round and round in that circle REAL fast!! #10 Why is everyone so quick to degrade someones talent because they are new, if I recall correctly the same things were said about Kennseth, Johnson and Newman and they have showed up the big boys!! AND #11......Need I say more!!!

[Cyndi Buell]

Katie, I couldn't agree with you more, Denny has apologized for what he has done and when Stewart threw him under the bus like that he was a whiney b*tch, he was standing up for himself, as for the petty incedent. When denny went after him, so what we all loved it, it was fodder for our blogs, comments, and everything eles We whine about on here. Fights in racing make the sport that added excitement. it is all entertainment, At leaste Denny took the time to take all his gear off and go after him. how wussy is it to argue with your helmut on.
Denny is doing what he thinks is the way to go, you've got to have a big ego to be on top. he'll learn to settle down, he's just making himself famous, everyone has to have some sort of shick to set them apart,
them good ole days of racin?
have you checked the year? it's 2007 not 1954 any more the soprt is evolving go or go home.

[katie]

Amen!! Finally some normal nascar fans. Thanks for agreeing and backing me up...only thing is I would be the one on Denny's arm in a heartbeat! haha

[Hamlinfan]

Shawn,

I've raised it before but now I am convinced: Your blog has turned into a tired and unjustified crusade against Denny Hamlin. Even the Hamlin-haters will likely agree that you are really grasping at straws by publishing an entire posting on comments about bump-drafting at practice. Practice?!?!?!

I get it, you hate Hamlin. Ok, wait, you don't hate him, you just think he has grown "too big for his britches." You think he is ungrateful because he doesn't give Petty enough room and has called out his pit crew for dropping lugnuts when their only job is not to do so. You wasted little space in pointing these things out.

Problem is, you write about this "news" so much that you actually appear jealous, or at least bitter and scorned.

I am left to wonder whether, perhaps, after waiting weeks in anticipation you received an unopened autograph request to Hamlin marked "return to sender." Perhaps you sent Denny letter after letter and he didn't recognize you after you waited in the sweltering sun for a meet and greet at a Bass Pro Shop.

Look, it's cool, I've been there, I used to idolize Wade Boggs but then found out he was an %$# who wore the same underwear all the time and liked to ride horses around Yankee Stadium. If I kept a blog, I'd probably write about it, too, but I wouldn't call myself an impartial journalist while doing so!

Your relentless attacks on Hamlin give your journalistic "opinions" about as much credibility as a PETA member's negative review of a newly opened Ruth's Chris.

In any event, Hamlin was right, EVERYONE was bump-drafting that session. Plus, he was on TV and was finished for the day. He said it and that was that...is that news?

Since you are a "journalist," I must ask, were you there to watch? Did you interview Hamlin? Did you see the other drivers doing the same thing?
Plus, aren't there better stories to write about Talladega on the eve of the race?

Where is the blog entry on Villaneuve's entry at 'dega? What about commenting on Montoya's slow movement from controversial newcomer to veritable "veteran" at the superspeedways with all these newcomers? How about a story on the DEI/Childress engines? What about a story on the demands on drivers for off track appearances that has recently ended in tragedy? The recent death of Colin Mcrae and Allison’s death at ‘dega would make this the right time for such a discussion. maybe a then/now story on Vickers, just to check in on how his life has changed since last year's win?

But that would take work…and its much easier to complain about Denny.

From Shawn:
I have to say, one of the funniest missives I’ve read in some time on here. The stuff about the autograph and waiting in line, that’s classic material. Sorry to blow your hypothesis out of the water, but I would just as soon be locked in a closet with rabid raccoons than wait in line for an autograph. Denny has made his personality part of the fabric of the news coming out of the Nextel Cup garage. Maybe there would be less to write about if Denny didn’t put his foot in his mouth so often. He could have just taken his medicine that day, but instead, he had to let the bratty, immature side shine through with his we weren’t going to practice any more anyway comment. Kind of like the kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar getting slapped then telling his mother, I really didn’t even want it so ha ha. All good topics you mentioned to write about and if I wasn’t so inundated with University of Connecticut football stories to write for the paper I could probably take the time to exam a few. The thing is, would I or anyone else be able to criticize Denny if he didn’t make it so quick and easy to do? Think about that for a bit.

[Tony]

Katie, these guys don't risk their lives for our entertainment. they do what they do because they get paid. And if you think these pampered guys are the only ones that risk their lives in their occupation, you are sadly mistaken. The only difference between them and John Doe is that Mr doe makes .1% of what a Mr Pro Racer makes. My point is there are self centered a-holes in all walks of life. Its just easy to throw darts at DDQ and some of the others for their lack of humbleness and sincerity. Heaven help me if there is ever a day when i'm inclined to admire an ahole driver just because he's good at what he does. You can't give a racer or anyone else respect that isn't earned. Denny changing from low key quiet kid to king kong within a year to keep from getting stepped on sounds more like an identity crises to me.

[Tony]

lauging at Shawn cc hamlinfan

[Ron]

Well I also saw the other cars out there on TV doing the samething. Also saw Gordon give a nice little bump all the way down the back on TV. More NASCAR inconsistency.

[Ron]

Well I also saw the other cars out there on TV doing the samething. Also saw Gordon give a nice little bump all the way down the back on TV. More NASCAR inconsistency.

[cmd]

Tony, are you and Shawn cut from the same cloth. Oh my, you sound so much alike on here. You both have such a hate on for Denny. After reading your last post Tony, it seems you don't like any Nascar drivers. You should try and cheer up a little. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, thanks for the thin skin line. Now that made me laugh.

[Tony]

Awww heck, cmd, i don't hate anybody. I dislike several for several different reasons, including your boy, Hamlin. I don't know Shawn and i dont agree with everything he writes, but most of it is good. I pull for two drivers...Jr and Jeff Burton. I like this blog because of the vent factor. I will close now for i fear this post appears to be encroaching upon the edges of a cheesy personal ad. Everyone have a nice day.

[cmd]

Hi Shawn, don't forget to watch Joey this Saturday night on Speed at 10pm. The Toyota AllStar Showdown. Should be a good one.

[Chris]

Denny has taken responsibily for stuff that wasnt his fault before, such as the pepsi 400 crash, and the insidents on pit road where his crews fault. He didn't take the blame for the wreck with kyle because kyle ticked him off by coming in his garage and hitting his helmet. I am a fan and all you people whining about denny whining makes me laugh, its fun to have a favorite driver who people are slowly starting to hate, because when he wins, thats a lot of angry people, and fewer happy people, and it end to like to piss people off.