Denny Hamlin came to the defense of Travis Rockhold, an on-air contributor for Dirty Mo Media, for his take on the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Rockhold expressed on a recent episode of “The Dale Jr. Download” that the Hall of Fame should be Cup-exclusive, while no O’Reilly Series or CRAFTSMAN Truck Series drivers should be considered.
The take sparked a debate between Rockhold and Earnhardt Jr. on the show, as the latter believes the NASCAR Hall of Fame is meant to recognize the greats of the whole sport, not just the Cup Series.
Denny Hamlin on NASCAR Hall of Fame debate: ‘I’ll join you in this take’
The debate caught the attention of many fans and some within the NASCAR industry. One of those being Kenny Wallace, who said anyone comparing a former O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion to the likes of Richard Petty has “lost their marbles.”
Hamlin, a 61-time Cup Series winner and two-time series runner-up, made it known which side he is on.
The driver of the No. 11 penned a message on X making it known that he sides with Rockhold, on the stance of the Hall of Fame should not consider the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series or the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
“I’ll join you in this take. @TravisRockhold,” Hamlin wrote.
The Hall of Fame debate stemmed from a conversation on Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast. The retired NASCAR star pondered whether or not A.J. Foyt deserved to be in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Earnhardt Jr. proceeded to question whether or not Justin Allgaier was worthy of making the Hall of Fame ballot.
Allgaier, a JR Motorsports driver, won the 2024 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship and is a 30-time race winner in the series.
That was when Rockhold, who said he knew his opinion would be controversial, let it be known how he feels about Hall of Fame-worthy drivers.
“I don’t think Xfinity, O’Reilly, Busch, Nationwide [Series] should count,” Rockhold said.
Earnhardt Jr. was taken aback by Rockhold’s stance, and made it clear how he felt about his opinion.
“That is a pretty [expletive] take,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
Dale Jr. believes O’Reilly, Truck drivers should be considered
Rockhold’s counter to Earnhardt Jr.’s claim was Major League Baseball.
However, the two-time Daytona 500 winner shut down the idea that the NASCAR and the MLB are comparable. While the MLB Hall of Fame strictly celebrates the best in the league, NASCAR’s is different.
“That’s Major League Baseball. They are literally saying, ‘This is Major League Baseball, MLB, the top.’ The NASCAR Hall of Fame is Cup and more,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
Rockhold responded by saying he believes it should be the Hall of Fame, rather than the Hall of “Very Good.”
Earnhardt Jr. fired back saying the NASCAR Hall of Fame has always been more than about the elite Cup Series drivers. The former driver of the No. 88 believes that is why O’Reilly and Truck Series drivers should be considered.
“You’re literally changing what the Hall of Fame is,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
Earnhardt Jr. is a NASCAR Hall of Famer in his own right. Inducted in the Class of 2021, Earnhardt Jr. won 26 Cup Series races and two Daytona 500s.
Denny Hamlin Backs Dale Jr.’s Co-Host in NASCAR HoF Debate