Denny Hamlin’s very public embrace of Ohio State fandom has yielded a special off-track reward. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver received a heartfelt gift package from the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrating the birth of his newborn son, Jameson Drew. The surprise arrived during the latest episode of his “Actions Detrimental” podcast.
Co-hosts Jared Allen and Charlie presented Hamlin with the gifts live on the podcast. The gesture follows Hamlin’s deliberate trolling of Michigan Wolverines fans after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 8. His “O-H” celebration ignited the passionate college football rivalry in the NASCAR world.
Ohio State Honors Hamlin’s Fandom with Personal Celebration Package
Hamlin’s co-host, Allen, initiated the moment. “We have a gift for you and we have a gift for Jameson Drew,” Allen announced. “The gift for Jameson Drew is on behalf of me and Charlie. And the other one is on behalf of Ohio State to you.”
Hamlin promptly pulled a football from a box, inscribed with “College Football 2025.” He quipped, “We can use this to practice next year’s Fanatics Fest games. We went all the way, didn’t we, Charlie?”
The Ohio State package contained far more than expected. Hamlin pulled out Buckeyes apparel, accessories, and a note reading, “Congrats on the victory and representing Ohio.” The 44-year-old driver expressed genuine appreciation for the unexpected gesture. “Thank you. Thank you, fellas, I appreciate that. We will represent this upcoming college football season.”
He also noted the irony for his team, stating, “Just so you know, the old DH legal team, a lot of Michigan grads.”
This recognition stems directly from Hamlin’s actions after his Michigan win. He climbed from his car and delivered the “O-H” arm gesture and the “O-H-I-O” chant toward the grandstands, later telling the crowd via Prime Video, “Daddy, I’m sorry, but I beat your favorite driver, folks.”
His bandwagon support for the Buckeyes began during their College Football Playoff National Championship run, which he attended in person. Hamlin and fiancée Jordan Fish welcomed Jameson Drew on June 11, weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces.
Michigan Victory Strengthens Buckeyes Connection Beyond Racing
Hamlin’s decision to troll the Michigan crowd was premeditated and confident. He revealed on his podcast after the win that co-host Charlie prompted him, “You gotta hit them with the O-H.” Hamlin agreed, replying, “I will after I win.”
His confidence in his car was high, a feeling he often downplays publicly. “Usually, you guys ask me how my car is today. If I ever say, ‘Pretty good,’ that means we’re really good. I like to under promise, over deliver,” he explained. The Michigan victory marked Hamlin’s third win of the 2025 season and his 57th career Cup Series victory.
.@dennyhamlin playing into the @OhioStateFB–@UMichFootball rivalry 🔥 #NASCARonPrime pic.twitter.com/e7r84Xns5J
— Sports on Prime (@SportsonPrime) June 8, 2025
Hamlin relishes his role engaging fans, even antagonistically. “I love having fun with the crowd, and I just don’t want them to ever clap when they say my name,” he told Dale Earnhardt Jr. “I want to make them feel a certain way. It could be positive, it could be negative, but I like to have those feels.”
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver currently sits fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with 494 points through 16 races. Receiving official Ohio State gear for his infant son underscores how deeply Hamlin’s NASCAR success and his adopted college allegiance have intertwined.
The gifts, arriving weeks after his Michigan victory lap, solidify a unique crossover moment between the high-speed world of stock car racing and the fierce passion of college football fandom.
It confirms his status as NASCAR’s premier antagonist who also earns respect beyond the track.