For years, NASCAR star Denny Hamlin has carried the burden of being one of the sport’s most successful drivers never to win a championship. With over 50 Cup Series victories, the 42-year-old has been mocked as a “choke artist” by critics for falling short when it matters most. But as the 2025 NASCAR season looms, Hamlin is basking in championship glory—just not on the racetrack. Instead, it came on the gridiron, thanks to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Ohio State’s electrifying national championship win
The Buckeyes capped off their season with a resounding 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It was Ohio State’s first title since 2015 and the inaugural champion crowned under the new 12-team playoff format.
Led by senior quarterback Will Howard, who threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns, and junior running back Quinshon Judkins, who added 100 rushing yards and three scores, the Buckeyes built an insurmountable lead by the third quarter. Notre Dame fought valiantly, cutting the deficit to 31-23 late in the game, but a clutch catch by Buckeyes freshman Jeremiah Smith on third-and-11 sealed the victory.
Hamlin’s unlikely connection to the Buckeyes
While the Buckeyes celebrated on the field, one of their loudest supporters was NASCAR’s own Denny Hamlin, who has adopted Ohio State as his team. Hamlin’s fandom began as a casual connection through friends but has since turned into a full-blown allegiance.
“I never went to college, so I had no allegiance to any school,” Hamlin explained in a tweet. “I’ve got two friends who are absolute lunatic fanatics of OSU. I went to a game just to watch them be fans, and I was wildly entertained. Friends ride with OSU, so I ride with them.”
Hamlin’s enthusiasm was on full display during the Buckeyes’ semifinal win over Texas, where cameras caught him celebrating like a lifelong supporter. After Ohio State’s championship win, Hamlin posted on social media, jokingly calling himself a champ: “Finally a champ.”
Social media has its fun
Hamlin’s unabashed fandom and Ohio State’s triumph didn’t escape the notice of fans and detractors alike. Social media lit up with jokes and jabs, many playfully referencing Hamlin’s NASCAR near-misses.
“Denny Hamlin 2025 Cup champ confirmed,” one fan quipped. Another added, “You’ve won more in the offseason than you did in the entire playoffs. Still my favorite, though.”
Some took the opportunity to recall Hamlin’s heartbreaks, like losing a Championship 4 spot to Ross Chastain’s daring wall ride at Martinsville in 2022. But the overall tone was one of camaraderie, with fans enjoying Hamlin’s ability to laugh at himself.
A championship win by association
For Hamlin, this championship moment—however indirect—is a brief reprieve from the pressures of the upcoming NASCAR season. After three straight years of playoff exits, Hamlin has partnered with a new crew chief, Chris Gayle, in hopes of finally securing a NASCAR Cup Series title.
While the Buckeyes’ victory doesn’t erase Hamlin’s on-track struggles, it underscores the power of sports to forge connections and inspire joy. For a driver who’s spent his career chasing that elusive title, being part of Ohio State’s triumph is a welcome distraction and a chance to embrace the lighter side of competition.
Denny Hamlin: NASCAR’s underdog turned Buckeye champion?
Hamlin’s playful embrace of Ohio State’s win is a testament to his resilience and humor in the face of constant scrutiny. As he gears up for another NASCAR season, Hamlin can savor this moment of championship glory—even if it came from the sidelines.
Because in sports, as Hamlin and Ohio State fans know, a win is a win.
