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| Keselowski took his lumps |
Denny Hamlin begs to
differ.
Speaking with the media
today, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver said Keselowski has lost the respect of his
racing peers and should modify his conduct, both on and off the racetrack.
“Do you want a
championship trophy or the respect of your peers? I'll take the respect of my
peers 10 times over that NASCAR trophy," said Hamlin. "They can't put
that (Sprint Cup) trophy in my casket. What fun is a NASCAR party that nobody
shows up to?”
Hamlin used recently
retired veteran Mark Martin as an example of a driver who commanded respect in
the NASCAR garage.
"Mark Martin never
won a Sprint Cup trophy,” he said. “But I guarantee on Hall of Fame day, he'll
have more support than anyone."
Hamlin also
offered Keselowski some unsolicited advice, saying his "lack of
remorse" alienates him from his fellow competitors. Specifically, Hamlin
said Keselowski should not have turned his back on Jeff Gordon when the Hendrick
Motorsports driver confronted him following Sunday’s race at Texas Motor
Speedway.
"You're just
looking for someone to say, 'Man, I'm sorry I ruined your day. I screwed up. I
apologize,’” said Hamlin. "When that doesn't get said, it immediately
lights a fire in your stomach. He doesn't have any remorse. He's like, 'Oh
well, it's your problem.'
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| Denny Hamlin |
"That really set
things off,” he added. “If Brad would have talked to Jeff and said, 'Man, I was
going for a hole, it was my only chance, I'm really sorry it cut your tire.'
Instead, it was, 'Oh well, sorry buddy. You left a hole.' If he did that to me,
I would have had the same reaction as Jeff. No question.
"Brad doesn't
have to apologize," said Hamlin. “But he has to realize (that) even if you
don't mean it, just give the guy 30 seconds of your time to hear what he's got
to say and have some dialogue. To blow someone off and think the world revolves
around you, you just escalate that person's feelings against you times 10.
"Sometimes you
have to face the music,” he said. “If you're (involved) in something, listen to
what the other person has to say. You may not always agree."
Amen
ReplyDeleteThis is Brads style and I like it!
ReplyDeleteJeff had no business laying a hand on Brad, if the same circumstance happened with Earnhardt SR. do you think Jeff would have even dreamed of grabbing him? Not so much.
Although I don't think Brad did anything wrong in the race, he definitely won't get any votes if he runs for mayor.
ReplyDeleteFunny things for Hamlin to say. I remember when Hamlin wrecked Logano at Bristol and refused to talk to Joey or say he was sorry.
ReplyDelete@FenderBumper
Interesting considering his team mate has deliberately wrecked other drivers for being in his way, payback or going for the win. Double standards.
ReplyDeletehamlin is just another sore loser,he would have and has the same thing.he needs to stay out of this deal and,let jeff and brad work it out.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of Hamllin's, but he is so right. Just might like him a tiny bit just for what he said. I feel that is exactly what Kevin was trying to get Brad to do. I think Kevin saw just what did go down with Jeff and wasn't happy that was it. Felt Brad was trying to get away without hearing anything more from Jeff. Maybe just maybe Brad will learn respect one day. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteBrad has a ton of respect for the sport and other drivers. He is a great driver and gives 110% every time the #2 car is on the track. The object is to win races and championships not a popularity contest. Dale Earnhardt Sr. won 7 championships but was never most popular driver until after his death.
ReplyDeleteHamlin, you said it best. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteThere's an old saying "people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stone. From my view Denny's house is pretty shiny.
ReplyDeleteDenny Hamlin is very weak minded. With that type of thinking that he said today, no one wonder why he mentally caved into pressure and lost the 2010 title. He has no overdrive gear in him, hence why he's never going to win a title. Jimmie has it (overdrive in themselves), so does Brad, Jeff and Tony too. Denny will never have it. He's mentally inferior to cope of doing whatever it takes to be one of the very best in Sprint Cup Series racing.
ReplyDeleteWhen did Denny Hamlin become the voice of the other drivers? Is he now a respected spokesman? If I remember correctly, he ruined Kyle’s day on several occasions, Kyle was going to tear him up. He didn’t apologize. Kyles comment “Somebody better keep me away from Denny Hamlin, I’m going to….” you know the rest.
ReplyDeleteFuture Hall of Famer Mark Martin took Jr out when they were teammates on a similar pass, it didn’t work out for Jr., and Jr was none too happy…this stuff happens in racing when you are trying. And Harvick…. Is he one of the most respected voices of reason in the garage? He is a good racer, he’s done very well this year…I used to be a fan, but not since he went after Biffle in the Nationwide series. I lost most of my respect for him that day….I lost what little I had for him when he got behind Brad and pushed him like a 7th grader. I almost forgave him for treating RC so bad...but I’m over it. He’s a tool.
Jeff Gordon ( the sucker puncher) called Brad a Piece of Sh!t, is he the voice of NASCAR…what a classless comment. He should be ashamed of himself. I have a feeling that if you gave Bad Brad the Opportunity to bare knuckle fight Jeff Gordon, he agrees to it…..I don’t think Jeff has the nuggets to try it. He fights with his helmet on.
Bad Brad is a force of nature; he is pushing to the front. The other drivers may hate him, but at the end of a card game, do you give all of your opponents their money back so not to lose their respect? So, know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away and know when to get your pit crew to surround you.
Go Brad! I hope you win it all…the people calling you out are not the moral compass.
Chocolate Myers said it best on the radio yesterday. You don't come to the race track to make friends. You bring those with you. You come to the track to win races. And I think Denny is blowing smoke. He'd sell his soul to win a Sprint Cup.
ReplyDeleteSo Denny would rather have respect than a Championship Trophy? That's Loser talk... Remember Phoenix a few years ago when he lost the point lead and ultimately the Championship? He looked like a little whipped puppy in the post-race interviews. If that's the way he truly feels, he will never have the drive to win a Cup.
ReplyDeleteAfter Denny wins a championship I'd be interested in knowing how he feels best to win one. Till then I'll take the butchers word for it!
ReplyDelete