Denny Hamlin expressed cautious optimism about Texas Motor Speedway’s progress despite a difficult race weekend at the Wurth 400. Speaking on his Actions Detrimental podcast, the veteran NASCAR driver acknowledged the track’s challenges but suggested it is “coming into its own” as a solid venue. Hamlin’s perspective contrasts with many drivers, fans, and media members who have often criticized the speedway, highlighting subtle improvements in racing quality that are starting to emerge.
Hamlin, 44, who hails from Chesterfield, Virginia, explained that Texas Motor Speedway’s unique banking makes it a demanding place to race.
“The banking is more in three and four than it is in one and two,”
he explained, pointing out that it’s tough to optimize a car for multiple styles of banking. Drivers often have to sacrifice performance on one part of the track to succeed on another, which can lead to frustration. Despite these difficulties, Hamlin emphasized that this doesn’t make the speedway a bad track.
“If it was one car-length wider, you’d really have a great racetrack,”
he said, adding that it is gradually developing more favorably.
“I know it’s not going to be great on the Gluck good race poll,”
Hamlin admitted, referring to a fan survey that has historically been less favorable toward Texas Motor Speedway.
“It’s probably got a bit of history in fans’ minds of not being a great racetrack. But I don’t know, I thought it raced okay.”
He noted that the track had started to widen out, and that the PJ1 traction compound applied to the racing surface was wearing off, which could further improve competitiveness and racing lines in future events.
The weekend itself was memorable for Hamlin, but unfortunately not for positive reasons. His race ended prematurely when his engine caught fire during Stage 1, preventing him from fully battling on the track he had praised. When asked about the fire, Hamlin said,
“Just the lap before, it started misting,”
describing the conditions leading up to the incident.
“No, not really. It just blew up,”
he added, indicating there was no warning before the failure.
Prior to the engine failure, Hamlin also faced a penalty for speeding on pit road. An unusual communication hiccup occurred during his pit stops, where multiple crew members speaking over each other caused confusion. Hamlin explained on the radio,
“You can’t call a team that’s the same f***ing name as another … Never mind. You boys were talking over each other, and I heard ‘Cowboys,’ and obviously I looked at my card.”
This miscommunication led him to pit twice, further complicating his race strategy and adding to the day’s frustrations.
Despite the setbacks, Hamlin’s overall performance this season remains strong, underscored by two wins and six top-10 finishes so far. He had hoped to redeem a disappointing 21st-place finish at Talladega the previous week, and though Texas Motor Speedway did not deliver those results, Hamlin’s comments suggest he sees promise in the track’s evolution. With NASCAR scheduled to return to Texas in 2026, the driver’s optimism coupled with his desire for better outcomes reflects a tense but hopeful mindset amid a challenging season.
Denny Hamlin’s viewpoint highlights a tension familiar to many in the NASCAR community—between the track’s persistent difficulties and its potential to become a more competitive and enjoyable venue. While fan opinion and past experiences may paint Texas Motor Speedway in a negative light, subtle changes and driver feedback suggest it could be turning a corner. Whether these adjustments will translate into more thrilling, consistent races remains to be seen, but Hamlin’s endorsement carries weight and could help shift perceptions.
The impact of these developments extends beyond individual races, potentially affecting fan engagement, broadcast ratings, and driver strategies. As tracks evolve and drivers adapt, the challenge lies in balancing the aggressive competition fans crave with the technical demands placed on cars and crews. For now, the season is a rollercoaster for Hamlin, balancing moments of brilliance with frustrating mechanical failures, all set against a backdrop of an improving but still uneven Texas Motor Speedway.
As NASCAR looks ahead to future events, Denny Hamlin’s mixed feelings echo the uneasy optimism many stakeholders share, underscoring the high stakes and unpredictable nature of motorsports. The road to better racing at Texas Motor Speedway is underway, with improvements coming slowly, and the hope that by 2026, the speedway will shed its troubled reputation and become a true highlight on the Cup Series calendar.
