Kyle Petty is loving Denny Hamlin 'more than ever' because of his attitude

Kyle Petty is loving the change he’s seeing in Denny Hamlin, believing it could catapult him to his first ever NASCAR Cup Series title.

At the moment, Hamlin may go down as one of the greatest NASCAR drivers to never capture the big one, but he’s on a mission to change that. Following Hamlin’s victory at Bristol, Petty explained how the big difference in Hamlin’s demeanor could mean everything to his championship hopes.

“We see Denny Hamlin being booed when this thing is over with. I take a lot of heat because people think I don’t like Denny. I love Denny, I love him more now than I ever have ever,” explained Petty. “This attitude has got me to be a big fan. Denny is being Denny. Denny is driving a race car for himself. Not for anybody else. Not for the fans. He’s not trying to be all things to all people.

“He is being Denny Hamlin, and he’s winning races. He could be 3-0 in Round 1. He could’ve won Darlington. He could’ve won Kansas. He did win at Bristol. Phenomenal effort by that team.”

Alas, it’s evident Hamlin isn’t out to make more fans. However, it’s almost having the opposite reaction, as many are gravitating towards his more brash, aggressive personality. He’s not the most-liked by any means, but neither was Dale Earnhardt Sr. back in his heyday.

Will it be the difference between Denny Hamlin capturing his first NASCAR title? Only time will tell, but it could take him into the next stratosphere if he captures the long elusive trophy.

Denny Hamlin explains what it means to win in front of Michael Jordan

Meanwhile, There’s nothing like winning in front of the greatest of all time, just ask Denny Hamlin, as he captured victory while Michael Jordan was in attendance at Bristol on Saturday. 

Of course, Hamlin’s relationship with Jordan is unique, as the two are friends, business partners and go way back throughout Hamlin’s career. Nevertheless, the thrill remains the same. Hamlin elaborated on what that feeling was like following Saturday’s race at Bristol.

“I have not,” Hamlin responded, asked if he talked to Jordan after his victory. “It was a big weekend for the 45 car, Jay on the car, that clab. I was being a fan boy in the middle of practice. Taking pictures of Tyler Reddick’s suit. Make sure I get that suit after this weekend. Really cool the crossover stuff they’re doing.

“Yeah, I’m jealous at times of the paint schemes, jealous of the M.J. stuff that Tyler gets to run. We’re still partners. Michael views us winning just like he does our race team. He says every weekend he has three chances to win, so this one he won.”

Alas, it was a fantastic weekend for Hamlin, Jordan and 23XI Racing as a whole. Hamlin found Victory Lane, but both Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick moved on to the next round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. That’s a huge accomplishment for a team that’s still so young into their time in NASCAR.