Denny Hamlin, a seasoned driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, has publicly raised concerns about NASCAR’s decision to approve YouTuber Cleetus McFarland to compete in the Oreilly’s Series following his recent three-race part-time contract with Richard Childress Racing (RCR). The approval has stirred significant controversy, with many voices criticizing NASCAR for allowing a relatively inexperienced competitor to participate in the sport’s second-tier series.
Hamlin expressed his viewpoint during an episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, making clear that his criticisms are directed at NASCAR’s sanctioning process rather than McFarland himself, whom he acknowledges as humble and appreciative of the opportunity.
Cleetus has been ultimately one of the most humble people. When I hear him do his serious interviews, like with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and whatnot, he is very humble when it comes to these opportunities that he’s getting.
Denny Hamlin said on his podcast.
Despite recognizing McFarland’s modesty and respect for the platform, Hamlin was taken aback by the driver’s struggling debut in the Truck Series at Daytona. This performance prompted Hamlin to question whether McFarland should be given further chances in higher divisions so quickly, especially given the risk posed to championship contenders.
Hamlin called for a stricter approval process from NASCAR to ensure that racing seats go to drivers who exhibit the necessary talent rather than those primarily attracting sponsorship money.
Should guys that are running full time for points, for championships, have to be potentially affected if he ends up spinning to the right and wiping out half the field, versus going to the left and only wiping himself out?… I think the approval process in NASCAR probably needs some work. It needs to be more stringent. I think if you made the approval process more stringent, people would hire more off of talent than they would dollars.
Denny Hamlin added via Actions Detrimental.
Evaluating the Team Owners’ Perspective on Approving New Competitors
Hamlin also acknowledged the difficult situation faced by team owners such as Richard Childress Racing. Offering seats to drivers like McFarland can be a strategic move to engage new audiences and attract lucrative sponsorships. In the current challenging sponsorship climate, these partnerships are often essential for a team’s financial viability.
Despite understanding this business reality, Hamlin warned of the dangers if NASCAR’s approval standards continue to relax, potentially undermining the sport’s competitive integrity.
Now, it would be tough on the car owners, because then they don’t have anyone to support their business. So, this is a very, very tough slippery slope that we’re on. But I really caution NASCAR on letting this get too far.
Denny Hamlin said.
Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing, cited the example within his own team. Although 23XI Racing fields Riley Herbst in a Cup series seat due to significant sponsorship commitments, Herbst is not considered a proven Cup-level driver, and this choice comes over more naturally talented drivers like Corey Heim. This highlights the ongoing struggle teams face between securing funding and maintaining competitive standards.
The Future Impact of NASCAR’s Approval Policies on the Sport
Hamlin’s concerns underscore a larger debate confronting NASCAR today: balancing financial sustainability with preserving the quality and fairness of competition. The decision to allow McFarland into the Oreilly’s Series is emblematic of this tension, highlighting the risks when inexperienced drivers are fast-tracked into higher-profile races.
If more stringent criteria are not implemented, there is the potential for increased incidents on the track that could affect championship standings and fan trust. The sport’s leadership may need to reassess its driver approval protocols to prioritize competitive merit and safety, safeguarding NASCAR’s long-term reputation and viability.
