Denny Hamlin, the three-time Daytona 500 champion, has openly criticized NASCAR‘s growing emphasis on road course racing, challenging the reasons behind the recent schedule changes. Speaking candidly on his podcast, Actions Detrimental, Hamlin questioned the widespread shift toward including six road courses on the NASCAR calendar, suggesting the move was based on a misunderstanding of fan interest and excitement.
Hamlin explained that while road courses have historically been a rare feature in NASCAR, their increased inclusion stemmed from fans reacting to chaos during these events rather than the quality of racing itself. He indicated that NASCAR may have misinterpreted this limited enthusiasm as a call for more such races.
Behind Hamlin’s Disapproval: How Fan Excitement Fueled an Overhaul
Hamlin expressed his straightforward opinion on the matter, stating,
“Listen, I’m not a road course fan,”
and added,
“I still believe we have too many of them on the schedule.”
He traced the push for road courses back several years, recalling,
“There was a big giant push for them, eight years ago, six years ago,”
before continuing,
“NASCAR was like, ‘okay, well that’s what you want.’ The only reason people loved them is we had green-white-chequered finishes, and it was that people would get wiped out, and like it created this excitement. I just think it was fake news, and we added a bunch to the schedule.”
This critique points to a belief that the excitement around road courses was primarily driven by unpredictable finishes and incidents rather than genuine appreciation for road racing, a perspective that challenges NASCAR’s strategy to broaden the types of tracks featured in its series.
Why Hamlin Supports the Chicago Street Race Despite His Road Course Stance
Although critical of the increased number of road courses, Hamlin distinguishes the Chicago Street Race from other road course events and strongly supports its continuation. With the initial three-year contract between NASCAR and the city of Chicago now expired, the race’s future remains unclear.
Hamlin remarked about the Chicago event,
“This is just one race. I think that should stay. Others, take or leave them, but certainly believe this one is just important to exposing new fans… It’s a very important partner city. So, there were three main ones this weekend that this was a big deal for them.”
He highlighted the significance of Chicago as a business hub, emphasizing the vital role the city plays for 23XI Racing and its partners, including Michael Jordan, McDonald’s, Robinhood, and Jordan Brand, all connected to the area.
From an economic standpoint, the Chicago Street Race has made notable impacts. The 2024 event reportedly injected approximately $128 million into the local economy, surpassing the $108.9 million generated the previous year. In addition, close to 70 percent of attendees were experiencing a NASCAR race for the first time, highlighting the event’s ability to draw new fans.
Hamlin’s Personal Experience and Outlook on Chicago’s Role in NASCAR
Hamlin’s recent race in Chicago started with a setback when an engine failure during practice forced him to start at the back of the field. Despite this challenge, he delivered a strong performance, finishing fourth—one of his better results on road courses in recent years.
While Hamlin remains skeptical about the proliferation of road courses overall, he considers the Chicago race an essential event that should remain part of the NASCAR calendar because of its fan engagement and economic benefits. Whether the street race will return next year is still undecided, but Hamlin clearly advocates for its continuation due to the unique value it offers the sport and its stakeholders.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Since starting as a full-time Cup Series driver in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin has achieved a remarkable career. He’s won 51 Cup Series races and secured three Daytona 500 wins in 2016, 2019, and 2020, earning millions over the years.
Q. Why did Denny Hamlin sue NASCAR?
A. Last year, 23XI and Front Row took legal action against NASCAR for not agreeing to new charter deals. They wanted a court order to recognize them as chartered teams for this season. However, on Thursday, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, decided in favor of NASCAR.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin has created a huge empire valued at $65 million through his career earnings, endorsements, team ownership, and real estate investments.
Hamlin’s wealth comes from several sources:
– He earns big from NASCAR race prizes and contracts.
– He has long-term sponsorship agreements with companies like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. Hamlin’s wealth stems from several sources. He earns a lot from NASCAR races and contracts.
He has long-lasting sponsorship deals with companies such as FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota.
He’s also a co-owner of 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, which has made him a businessman outside of racing.
