Denny Hamlin is ready for the 651st race of his career. And well, he’s dead set on making it a memorable one. Remember when he was on the cusp of his 50th win and tangled up in a spat with Kyle Larson at Pocono in his quest to hit that milestone? It looks like NASCAR fans are in for a déjà vu at Daytona, as Hamlin is on the starting line, eyeing his fourth victory at the iconic track. And from the sound of his recent conversation, he’s apparently ready to pull out all the stops, leaving no stone unturned on the asphalt to win.

Self-proclaimed ‘Selfish’ Denny Hamlin does not care about the stage points

Time and again on his Actions Detrimental podcast, he’s driven home the point that his sole focus when firing up the engine is to cross the finish line first, not to rack up stage points. In a candid conversation on Fox Sports with Kevin Harvick and the crew, he didn’t mince words, signaling to his competitors, including his JGR brethren and the 23XI squad, that it’s every man for himself.

“I think over the years we’ve seen this thing of development of manufacturers alliances and all that, but ultimately, You had to be selfish. You’re not going to be happy pushing. a teammate to a victory. You’re gonna want to get it for yourself and… You do be you are more aggressive in this race because this race, I don’t consider the 2024 season starting till next week. I don’t care about stage points, I don’t care about any of that stuff until we get out of this weekend because this weekend is an event in itself.”

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When it comes to juggling his roles as a driver, team owner, and podcaster, Hamlin’s got it down to fine art, keeping his myriad responsibilities in neat little boxes and ensuring his schedule is tight yet clear. His mantra? There’s no room for regrets in the driver’s seat, thanks to top-notch prep for any issues the track might throw his way.

Watch This Story: Denny Hamlin Reveals Heartwarming Reason Behind Keeping The Winning Checkered Flag

With 18 Daytona 500 runs under his belt, including three wins, and leading the most laps in four of them, Hamlin’s got his sights set on a record-breaking fifth as the top lap leader. His name’s already etched among the top five drivers who’ve dominated the Daytona 500 track, leading a whopping 480 laps in car #11. Not to mention, given his recent sound bites, it’s clear Hamlin’s playing to win, even if it means earning the title of “best villain” on the circuit.

#11 seems to be echoing The Rock’s call to embrace the dark side

In a recent discussion before the race, The Rock, who is going to be the grand marshal of the race this year, appreciated Hamlin’s knack for playing the antagonist. Reflecting on his days in the wrestling ring, Dwayne Johnson waxed lyrical about the magnetic charm of playing the villain. “Being a villain is the greatest thing in the world; it truly is. The rare air is when you have the opportunity, you grab it by the throat. You don’t let it go, and that’s the opportunity to be a great bad guy.”

Wrapping up the famous star proposal, “Let me and Denny do the talking and get the boos.” While he acknowledged the appeal of being the crowd’s darling, he pointed out the unique chance to carve out a legacy as the unforgettable baddie, encouraging Hamlin to dive in headfirst. It looks like Denny Hamlin is doing just that.

Denny Hamlin Surprisingly Shatters NASCAR’s Next-Gen Era Record Amidst Hopes of a Fourth Daytona 500 Sweep

But could Hamlin’s recent remarks just be his way of shaking off the jitters? He’s openly confessed that a bit of trash talk is his armor against feeling too ordinary. “I feel vulnerable. So I use it to help get into the other competitors’ heads and make them believe I am the best and you’re not going to beat me. It’s my superpower. I do believe I have humility in certain situations. I just do not want to let anyone see that humility.”

So, it’s possible that Hamlin’s tough talk isn’t just a heads-up to his rivals but a peek into his insecurities. What’s your take on this intriguing dynamic?