What Makes A Man A NASCAR Driver?

My favorite NASCAR driver is Denny Hamlin. His full name is James Dennis Alan Hamlin Jr. He was born on November 18,1980 to Denny and Mary Lou Hamlin in the small town of Chesterfield, Virginia. He stands just 6'0" tall and weighs only 170 pounds but he is larger than life. He has a warm, gentle smile that lights up a room and green eyes that can melt you with just one glance. The things they have seen in his short 27 years would probably leave a lesser man overwhelmed. But to watch Denny carry himself in his element is an honor that no one on this earth truly deserves.


As a child, his dream was to drive a race car. Not exactly Little League or Pee Wee Football and so much more expensive. How does one teach their son to drive a race car and win? It takes a talent and a gift that only comes around once in a lifetime. The truly great ones are special and priceless. When they work their way through the ranks of small hometown tracks to the circuits and divisions sponsored by NASCAR, they must prove that they have something spectacular that sets them apart from the rest of the guys trying to live out the same dream.


To catch the attention of an owner in the sport of NASCAR is nothing short of miraculous. Being able to win races against other guys who are just trying to chase the dream is so much different than competing with guys who have won more races than years he has lived and is a defending champion. You have to have a drawing point and that is exactly what Denny Hamlin has.


When Joe Gibbs took notice of the young phenom from Virginia, little did he know how special his young protege would be. At just 24 years old, Denny Hamlin was about to be thrust into the most harsh, unforgiving, life changing career of his life. He had the talent, but nothing could prepare him for the demands of fans, sponsors and the media. Every person he came in contact with was a threat and he had to constantly question their motives and protect himself.


With fame came fortune and for such a young man, it was going to be blinding and difficult. But Denny Hamlin was raised well by his Mama who taught him to always be respectful and to be a gentleman. But all of that came easily to Denny. It was the trust that would have to be earned by every person entering his life that would be the most terrifying hurdle to overcome. The constant question of "are they out for my money and my fame or do they really care about ME" would keep him up more nights than how the car would perform come race day.


As a wide-eyed kid, Denny Hamlin could never imagine what awaited him in the process of seeing his biggest dream come true. But with his friends who have stuck with by him since childhood, a good boss who knows what it's like to corral young, handsome talent in early stardom and the values he was raised with, Denny Hamlin has proven that it is possible to live your dream and not forget who you are or where you came from.


He never picked up a basketball and desired to be like Mike. The thrill of the Super Bowl winning touchdown pass didn't call him to be the next Troy Aikman. The crack of the bat just didn't have the same thrill for him as it did for Babe Ruth. Denny Hamlin wanted to race and be like his hero, Bill Elliott. He watched his NFL favorite Washington Redskins but instead of wanting to play for Coach Joe Gibbs, he wanted to drive a race car for him. In fact, he told Joe that he would be driving for him one day. A premonition at its most glorious. Joe Gibbs just laughed and when he was later reminded of that conversation noted that he never realized that he'd have to pay the kid so much to do just that.


Denny's father, big Denny, when interviewed following his son's first victory at Pocono in 2006, said if he had known his son would be that great he'd have had a bunch more and sold them off. A very fitting tribute to one of the most talented, down to earth, genuine, caring guys in the sport of kings.


As Denny returns to Texas, the sight of his very first Cup race to mark his 113th career start, I am reminded of that awkward, nervous, yet excited young man who was about to steal my heart and change the way I view NASCAR forever. I had come to believe that rubbing was racing and that tearing up race cars was just par for the course. When it came to winning, every driver would take out his own mother to get that trophy. But that's not Denny Hamlin. He doesn't tear up race cars and he doesn't crash his friends. He gives respect and demands it in return. He isn't larger than life.... he's just James Dennis Hamlin Jr and he likes to race. It's an amazing hobby that has taken him places he never imagined and has taken its own toll and changed him forever.


Every time I see him on TV, I remember that he is flesh and bone and feelings and emotions. He wasn't born in that fire suit, he put it on one leg at a time just like I did when I got dressed that morning. The only difference between Denny Hamlin and the average man is he can do what most can't. Drive 180 mph and not get pulled over by the cops for doing it.

So what makes a NASCAR driver? Just an average guy who is willing to leave behind life as they know it and climb behind the wheel of a multi-million dollar car and be the center of attention and the object of desire for millions of people seeking to destroy them. The bright lights are mesmerizing and the fame is overwhelming. But for the select few who are grounded with a good head on their shoulders, they emerge as the true heroes. To me, that is Denny Hamlin. Just a man who happens to drive for a living. I want to be just like him when I grow up. Ah, who am I kidding? I'm never growing up.