express
Fans did not appreciate Denny Hamlin's comments about North Wilkesboro's length Sunday night.
Hamlin is the oldest driver in the NASCAR Cup Series at 45, and yet he remains one of the most productive on a weekly basis, currently leading the points standings.
At the Window World 450, Hamlin once again showed his mettle, finishing second behind Joey Logano, who won his first race of the season.
That said, the Joe Gibbs Racing star was overheard on the radio expressing displeasure with the race's length to his team.
It comes after Hamlin explained how new rules would impact NASCAR races in the future.
- World Cup star will only shake hands with Trump to avoid jail - Kylian Mbappe deals Lionel Messi huge blow hours before World Cup final During the race, Hamlin was heard telling his team, "Have I mentioned this race is way too f---ing long? Of note, the Window World 450 took just under three hours to finish, which is roughly the length of most sporting events in the United States, barring weather.
For comparison, a Major League Baseball game takes approximately two hours and 40 minutes to finish, down from the over three hours it used to average, thanks to measures to speed up the game.
Both the NBA and NHL have game lengths that average anywhere from two hours, 15 minutes to two hours, 30 minutes, with those two sports being among the fastest in the United States' four major sports to finish.
For additional context, MLS matches last roughly two hours, which includes breaks.
Of the four major sports in the United States, NFL games take the longest to finish, averaging approximately three hours.
Fans were not a fan of Hamlin's comments, with one writing, Then retire old man," and another posting: "Horses---.
Hes just being a big baby.
Despite his comments regarding North Wilkesboro's length and his second-place finish, Hamlin praised Logano, the three-time champion, on how he performed that night while also highlighting the outing his team had at the Window World 450.
You just got to compliment [Logano] on a great day and a great drive," Hamlin admitted after the race, according to NBC Sports.
"They were really good.
There was a lot of times that I felt like my car was kind of close to where it needed to be and just a smidge off.
It was a great battle.
"We at least were able to keep him honest there, but he had a lot of speed and never really gave up on the short run or long run.
Great job for our whole team to keep us in the ballgame, but well have to regroup.
I thought it was a really impressive drive from [Logano].
"He maneuvered through traffic really well and did everything that we know Joey to do.
Really feel great about our day, though.
Such a big turnaround from where we were last year.
Just one spot short.