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Denny Hamlin reveals inspiration behind Ohio State celebration after Michigan win

Nick Profile Picby: Nick Geddes06/10/25NickGeddesNews
Denny Hamlin
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Denny Hamlin had some fun with the crowd at Michigan International Speedway after winning Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400. As Hamlin climbed out of his car, he began doing the “O-H-I-O” chant.

Hamlin hopped on the Ohio State bandwagon during its College Football Playoff National Championship run this past season. With Sunday’s race taking place just outside of Ann Arbor, Hamlin took the opportunity to troll the pro Wolverines crowd. Hamlin had this planned out in case he won the race. He was extremely confident in his car’s ability, and that showed throughout the race.

“Charlie said, ‘You gotta hit them with the OH.’ I said, ‘I will after I win.’ Usually, you guys ask me how my car is today,” Hamlin said on Monday’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast. “… If I ever say, ‘Pretty good,’ that means we’re really good. I like to under promise, over deliver. Those people out there that are ever watching practice or qualifying, If I’m ever in the top five of practice or remotely close it, we’re probably going to be really good on Sunday. That’s usually how this goes.”

Denny Hamlin explains why he relishes role of being NASCAR antagonist after win at Michigan

Hamlin didn’t stop with the chant. He turned to the crowd while speaking to Prime Video and said, “I just beat your favorite driver.”

Hamlin loves being the antagonistic. Speaking with Dale Earnhardt Jr. after the race, Hamlin explained why he enjoys having fun with the crowd.

“I love having fun with the crowd and I just don’t want them to ever clap when they say my name,” Hamlin said. “It’s like, ‘Alright, next guy.’ I want to make them feel a certain way. It could be positive, it could be negative, but I like to have those feels.”

Hamlin has “beat your favorite driver” now three times through 15 races this season. This was a special one for Hamlin. He’s just the 10th driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win a race after making his 700th start. With career win No. 57, Hamlin passed Kyle Busch for the most checkered flags in Joe Gibbs Racing history.