Denny Hamlin just loves being the guy fans love to hate, doesn’t he? When the checkered flag was waved at the World Wide Technology Raceway, boos rang around the grandstands when the veteran stepped out of his No. 11 Toyota. But the reaction doesn’t bother the 44-year-old one bit. If anything, he thrives on the negativity, using it as fuel on the racetrack. That may go on to explain his five Cup Series wins this year, and the fact that he’s already locked into the Round of 12.

Hamlin has polarized the NASCAR community for years now, and his post-race interviews don’t help his reputation one bit. After the Enjoy Illinois 300, the Virginia-native made headlines for the wrong reasons once again and begged for his father’s forgiveness after issuing a controversial statement.

Denny Hamlin wan

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