"My new favorite driver": Fans go wild at Denny Hamlin for teasing OSU with unexpected gesture after iconic NASCAR race win

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin captured the attention of college football fans on the internet after winning his third race of the season and 57th in his career at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, MI. He did so at the heart of Michigan, a fierce rival of Ohio State on the football field.

In order to celebrate the win, Hamlin came out of the car and threw up an O-H to the stands twice, repping his love for the Ohio State Buckeyes. As cameras rolled following his victory at Michigan International Speedway, Hamlin stood proudly by his No. 11 Yahoo Toyota Camry and formed the familiar OSU letters with his arms.

The OSU faithful wasted no time claiming Hamlin as one of their own.

“My new favorite driver,” one fan declared

Another chimed in:

“stud”

One fan rallied:

“Go Bucks!”

Another simply said:

“hell yeah brother”

As expected, not everyone was celebrating as some Michigan fans clapped back.

One fan criticized:

“Very disgusting to be celebrating with a flag after a win! Act like you’ve been there before Denny…”

Another took a jab:

“Not surprised...he loses the big one under pressure. Ohio is a good pick for him.”

Why Denny Hamlin supports Ohio State Buckeyes?

Denny Hamlin never went to college, so he didn't have any school he could naturally become a fan of. However, his friends became the source of motivation for his allegiance to Ohio State.

To answer a question about the same on X, Hamlin revealed the reason behind his love for the Buckeyes.

“I never went to college so no allegiance to any other schools," he tweeted. "I’ve got two friends who are absolute lunatic fanatics of OSU. Went to a game to watch them be fans and I was wildly entertained … Friends ride with OSU, so I ride with them.”

Denny Hamlin previously attended a playoff-semifinal win over Texas and also once wore an OSU tee while singing chants.

“When you jump on the bandwagon with the best team… the atmosphere was so freaking loud at every play,” he said.

Ohio State is the defending champion who'll face the Texas Longhorns to open the 2025 season.

Edited by Ruth John S