Every Now And Then

It is easy to jump on the bandwagon and follow the winner. It is harder, however, to follow the guy who finishes mid-pack and only wins once in a while, if at all. I have never been a bandwagon jumper. There is no dedication in giving up when things don't go right, there is pride in supporting your favorite driver when they have a string of bad luck, regardless of how long it lasts. I take a lot of pride in the driver I support.

In 2006, I took notice of a Rookie sensation named Denny Hamlin. This young man played video games to practice his runs at race tracks. He was quiet, polite and respectful. He raced clean, didn't wreck race cars and could drive the wheels off of them. He won twice at Pocono and watching his Daddy cry with pride at his son touched my heart to the core. To see his father that amazed at his own son's abilities left me humbled. I felt like I was glimpsing into the window of something beyond special.

That's how I view 36 weeks of watching Denny Hamlin race. It's how I view getting to talk to him once a week. To have the privilege to see him race is something I am not sure I deserve. To be able to call myself not just his fan, but his friend is a privilege I'm positive I am not worthy of. Writing this blog about him is the least I can do to show my support of NASCAR's classiest gentleman.

You see, Denny has a bit of a temper. He speaks from true emotion and winds up getting hit hard by the media over his words. I know how that feels, because I'm the exact same way. People call him arrogant and whiny. It's obvious they don't know Denny at all. If they did, they would know that couldn't be further from the truth.

I'm going to let y'all in on a little secret. Denny Hamlin is one of the most genuine, humble, thoughtful, caring people I have ever had the honor of knowing. The last two weeks have been beyond difficult for me and D Ham has been there to support me through it all. When I have needed an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on and someone to just care that I was struggling to smile, Denny has been that person. He is beyond amazing and I am so proud of him.

Denny is hard on himself. He knows what he's capable of and when he doesn't show it on the racetrack he's disappointed with himself. He feels that he's let his team and his fans down. Well, Denny there is nothing you could ever do to let me down. I am proud of you whether you win or finish 43rd. I am hurt that you don't do what I know you can do but that's just what being a fan is. I'm frustrated with the car, the call that cost you the win, that tire that went down at Richmond and that driver that just couldn't keep the car from spinning out in front of you and collecting you at Dover...but I am NEVER disappointed in you.

For what you've done for me, for the words you've said to me and just because you are a clean racer with a heart of gold who gives it everything he has every single time he climbs in that car I will forever be endebted to you. For your friendship I say thank you. And to those who want to call Denny Hamlin arrogant, let me tell you the truth. I know a different man and you will never be able to convince me that he's anything but humble and thankful. He knows that without Mama and Daddy sacrificing everything for him, without a team owner that believed in him, without a crew chief that keeps him calm and focused and without fans like me who have total undying faith in him...he'd be scooping ice cream at the local soda fountain. Only Denny can appreciate that little joke.

When I count my blessings before I lay down my head at night, Denny Hamlin is at the top of that list. If you care about him the way I do, you will understand that statement. If you disagree with me, you're missing out on the most amazing man and I am sorry you're not blessed the way I am. The Denny Hamlin I know isn't good with words and doesn't realize that the little things that he does say are more precious than diamonds. I hope these words help him to realize that I hear what his heart says and I'm humbled and honored to know him. I guess I'm not so good at words either because these just don't seem to cover it. Something tells me D Ham will understand.