Denny Hamlin claims he gets 'lashing' from NASCAR for critical public comments during testimony

Today, Denny Hamlin concluded his time on the stand as a witness in the ongoing NASCAR antitrust trial in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hamlin’s 23XI Racing organization and Front Row Motorsports are suing the sanctioning body on claims of abusing its monopoly on the sport.

By all reports, Denny Hamlin had an emotional and at times, confrontational, time up on the stand. His cross-examination was spent going back and forth with NASCAR’s legal counsel as they questioned him about his career, business investments, finances, and more.

At one point, Hamlin was asked about a July 2024 appearance on the Kenny Conversation with former driver Kenny Wallace. In that podcast appearance, Hamlin made positive comments about the Next Gen car and the Mexico City race. Hamlin fired back.

“Because if I say anything bad, I get a lashing from NASCAR. So, publicly, it’s all sunshine and rainbows,” Hamlin said, via Joseph Srigley of Racing America.

“My job is to take the talking points NASCAR says to [me] and say them publicly. If [I say] anything bad, [I get] a phone call from NASCAR,” Hamlin added.

When asked about his comments about Mexico City, a race Denny Hamlin ultimately missed due to the birth of his son, the driver had another quick answer. “Yes, that was your talking point.”

#NASCAR's council then asked Hamlin about his appearance on the Kenny Wallace Podcast, where he mentioned that the NextGen car was a net-positive about the sport — and didn't say anything negative about the racecar.

🗨️ "Because if I say anything bad, I get a lashing from…

— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) December 2, 2025

The tension is only going to ramp up more as the trial continues. Denny Hamlin has expressed his frustrations with NASCAR in the last year leading up to the trial. Yesterday and today, he got to put those frustrations and feelings into the official record as part of this case.

Denny Hamlin reveals salary from Joe Gibbs Racing

During cross-examination, it was revealed what Denny Hamlin makes, roughly, each year at Joe Gibbs Racing. As a veteran driver who is one of the top-10 winningest drivers all-time, Hamlin earns about $14 million a year from his JGR team.

That admission is something we seldom get in the sport. Driver salaries are protected at all costs most of the time, and hearing a definitive number from a team or driver is a rarity. This is also something that JGR likely didn’t want to see put out in the public. Now, other teams know what the top Toyota organization pays for talent.

There will be a lot revealed in this lawsuit. This is really only the beginning. As more witnesses go up to the stand, we will get into the nitty-gritty details. Right now, we’ve seen a lot of emotional confrontation.