Denny Hamlin thrives in the spotlight, even when it burns. The 44-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing star, known as much for his sharp tongue as his 56 career wins, takes center stage in Season 2 of Netflix’s NASCAR: Full Speed. The docuseries, streaming since May 7, peels back the curtain on Hamlin’s dual roles as driver, team owner, and NASCAR’s villain.
From fiery rivalries to his relentless championship pursuit, the episode promises an unfiltered look at why Hamlin remains one of the sport’s most divisive and compelling figures.
Denny Hamlin Embraces Villain Role in Netflix’s Spotlight
The teaser wastes no time framing Hamlin’s reputation. “Denny Hamlin’s a polarizing figure in the sport,” ESPN’s Marty Smith declares.
“He’s had a rivalry at some point with damn near everybody.”
Clips show Hamlin taunting fans at the Bristol Motor Speedway: “I beat your favorite driver.” When asked who that is, he smirks, “All of them.”
An exceptional talent who's never afraid to speak his mind.
Get to know @dennyhamlin in Season 2 of Full Speed, now streaming on @netflix. pic.twitter.com/EGrA9MX8Nz
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Hamlin leans into the chaos. “Head-to-head rivalries make this sport exciting,” he says. “I have no problem speaking my opinion. If you don’t agree, it’s on you.” The series also highlights his role as 23XI Racing co-owner with Michael Jordan, who chuckles at Hamlin’s infamy: “They hate him. I love him.”
But the spotlight isn’t just for show. NBC’s Kim Coon notes Hamlin’s 19-year tenure at Joe Gibbs Racing, 56 wins (11th all-time), and the championship void that haunts him. “It’s going to haunt him if he doesn’t get it,” Smith adds. Yet Hamlin shrugs: “I root for them [23XI drivers] right after I root for myself.”
Championship Heartbreak Fuels Hamlin’s Relentless Drive
Hamlin’s career is a tapestry of near-misses. The 2010 collapse looms largest, blowing a 63-point lead with only two races left.
“It’s just been bad luck, honestly. I am the black cat of death. I’m f***ing cursed,” Hamlin told Netflix after a 2023 playoff exit.
Despite leading all drivers in wins since 2019, titles elude him while rivals like Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott claim crowns. Dale Earnhardt Jr. summarized the stakes in the first season of Full Speed: “Denny, understanding his age, understanding where he is in his life, realizes it’s now or never.”
Hamlin’s four Championship 4 appearances since 2014 yielded no titles, with gut-wrenching exits at Martinsville in 2022-23. Ross Chastain’s “Hail Melon” wall-ride cost him one shot; a mechanical failure and Ryan Blaney’s surge erased others.
Yet Hamlin soldiers on. In 2025, he ranks seventh in points with two wins, five top-fives, and 318 laps led. “Do I want to win a championship? A thousand percent,” he says. “But it’s not going to define my career. My career is defined by trophies.” With 56 and counting, he eyes Kevin Harvick’s 60-win benchmark.
The series juxtaposes his swagger with vulnerability. Smith observes Hamlin’s “measured” approach lately, a claim undercut by Hamlin’s unapologetic podcast takes and playoff trash talk. For fans, this duality is the draw: a driver who thrives on the edge, yet remains haunted by what lies beyond it.
As Full Speed streams, one question remains: Can NASCAR’s ultimate villain finally script a heroic ending? For Hamlin, the answer hinges on outrunning a legacy defined as much by brilliance as heartbreak.