NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin. Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Denny Hamlin receives loud boos at All-Star race

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated May 19, 2024 9:27 PM ET

Denny Hamlin may have been the betting favorite to win Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race, but he was the furthest thing from a fan favorite.

Fans greeted the Joe Gibbs Racing driver with a chorus of boos when he was introduced to the audience at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, N.C.

As for the least popular … Denny Hamlin is the clubhouse leader for boos pic.twitter.com/DyI9eozS3q

— PRN (@PRNlive) May 19, 2024

The fan reaction Hamlin received could not have been more different from that of Kyle Larson. The Hendrick Motorsports driver heard massive applause during his introduction.

Huge cheers for Kyle Larson during driver intros! pic.twitter.com/Vi2YDfUgk0

— PRN (@PRNlive) May 19, 2024

Hamlin earned himself the 11th spot following qualifying. Larson, who won last year’s All-Star race, got the 12th spot right next to Larson.

Hamlin did have a few supporters in attendance. The 43-year-old showed he was a true man of the people by rewarding one young fan of his with some free merchandise.

Denny Hamlin just walked across the frontstretch to toss one of his fans a hat. Man of the people! pic.twitter.com/8JMZ9vzcfd

— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) May 20, 2024

Hamlin has been outstanding in the NASCAR Cup Series this season. The 2015 All-Star race winner has racked up 447 points and three race wins. He ranks third in the standings behind Larson and Martin Truex Jr. respectively.

Hamlin is also the lone driver to hold a lead in all 13 races so far this season. His 607 laps led trails just Larson’s 649.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: