Following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International this Sunday, driver Denny Hamlin expressed concern that fan dissatisfaction with the Next Gen <a href="https://www.big14news.com/nascar/”>NASCAR car has escalated to unprecedented “hate levels.” He compared this backlash to the negative reaction fans had toward the original Car of Tomorrow with the wing almost two decades ago. Hamlin warned that this intense dislike could threaten the sport’s relationship with its fan base.
Next Gen Car’s Struggles and Comparisons to Past Models
The Next Gen car, introduced in 2022 as the seventh generation of NASCAR vehicles, has faced criticism from both fans and drivers since its debut. While it generally delivers exciting races on intermediate tracks, its performance on short tracks and road courses has been widely criticized. Hamlin described the car’s issues as a “fundamental problem” acknowledged by all drivers who have ridden it.
He commented on Monday’s Actions Detrimental podcast,
“I think that we have a fundamental car problem. It is no doubt a problem. Everyone that has ever driven it has said it’s a problem.”
He further observed,
“I believe that the Next Gen car is reaching hate levels of the COT (Car of Tomorrow) with the wing. From fans — I think they’re starting to dislike this car as much as the drivers that have to drive it.”
The original Car of Tomorrow, which was used from 2007 to 2012, was similarly unpopular, leading NASCAR to adopt the Generation 6 car in 2013.
Reflections on NASCAR’s Management Decisions and Their Consequences
Hamlin also criticized NASCAR’s leadership for a series of poor choices over the years, suggesting that these decisions are starting to harm the sport. The frustrations voiced by fans after the Watkins Glen race added urgency to his remarks.
He stated,
“We’ve just steadily progressed our way back and back and back and back and taken horsepower away more and more and more.”
He characterized this as a disconnect between decision-makers,
“These are 10th floor decisions and let’s just say us drivers are on the third floor. No business is immune to bad decisions. I think that the NASCAR business has made some horrible decisions over the last given amount of time and eventually, it catches up.”
Adding a note on accountability, Hamlin warned,
“You can’t just say, ‘This is the direction I wanna go.’ ‘Well, why?’ ‘Well, this is the direction I wanna go,’ and not eventually have to pay for that. You’re going to have to pay for your bad decisions at some point. And this could be said for lots of things that have happened in those offices. We’ll just see how it goes.”
Implications for the Future of NASCAR and Its Fan Engagement
Hamlin’s comments highlight growing tensions between NASCAR drivers, fans, and the series’ management regarding the direction of the Next Gen car and other strategic choices. With fan sentiment reaching levels not seen since the controversial Car of Tomorrow era, NASCAR faces a critical moment in balancing innovation with fan approval. How the organization responds to these warnings could influence the sport’s popularity and long-term viability in a competitive entertainment market.
As the fourth season of the Next Gen car unfolds, decisions made in response to these concerns will be closely watched by drivers like Denny Hamlin and millions of fans who remain passionate about the future of NASCAR racing.
