Denny Hamlin shared his candid thoughts about the recent IndyCar and NASCAR doubleheader event held at Phoenix Raceway, highlighting the challenges and excitement of such a crossover weekend. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver also disclosed what he wished he could experience further as part of these combined race weekends, offering insights into how this format affects drivers and fans alike.
The event featured an intense IndyCar race won by Josef Newgarden, marked by numerous on-track passes and a thrilling conclusion. The following day, Ryan Blaney emerged victorious in the NASCAR Cup Series 500-lap race, the Straight Talk Wireless 500, at the one-mile oval.
Hamlin himself delivered a strong performance, starting from 11th place and finishing fifth behind Blaney, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Ty Gibbs in the 312-lap race. Despite the busy weekend, Hamlin admitted he was unable to watch much of the IndyCar race due to prior commitments.
“I had an appearance during the IndyCar race and then I had to go back to the racetrack and do some work. I caught exactly zero laps of the IndyCar race, but the atmosphere was cool,” Denny Hamlin said (43:30 onwards).
He also praised the concept of having two premier racing series at the same venue, noting fan engagement and attendance.
“I really liked the feeling of two premier series being at the same track. … There were a lot of fans that left after the IndyCar race. I can’t believe they didn’t stay for the Xfinity race.”
Challenges for Fans During Lengthy Race Weekends Under Arizona Heat
Hamlin acknowledged a significant downside for spectators attending these doubleheader weekends, particularly related to the extreme heat in Arizona. He noted that expecting fans to remain in the grandstands for extended periods may not be practical.
“Asking me to sit in the stands for eight hours probably is a very, very tough ask,” Hamlin said.
The driver expressed personal interest in experiencing the IndyCar event more closely, including walking the grid, observing pre-race activities, and seeing the IndyCar machines up close, which his schedule did not permit this time.
Concerns Raised Over New Driver Approval and Safety in NASCAR
On the same podcast episode, Hamlin addressed issues surrounding driver eligibility and safety in the NASCAR Cup Series. Specifically, he expressed worries about the approval standards for newcomers entering national series races, referencing the recent participation of YouTuber Cleetus McFarland under a limited race agreement with Richard Childress Racing.
Hamlin advocated for NASCAR to enforce stricter criteria for drivers before allowing them to compete at high-level national events, citing safety concerns demonstrated during McFarland’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut.
“I think that our approval process should be more tough than what it is. I think that there’s a certain standards that we need to hold to ourselves. Certainly in the Cup series now. He hasn’t we haven’t gone there yet, but like is is this is that where this is going?” Denny Hamlin asked (47:30 onwards).
He referenced the Daytona truck race where McFarland appeared to struggle with car control, which ultimately caused a crash affecting multiple contenders.
“He is very humble when it comes to these opportunities that he’s that he’s getting. But I watched him in that truck race at Daytona and I’m I truthfully he was out of control.”
McFarland is set to pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet truck at Rockingham Speedway following his debut at Daytona International Speedway, where a loss of control ended his race prematurely in 37th place.
Implications of Hamlin’s Comments for Racing and Fans
Hamlin’s reflections shed light on the logistical and experiential challenges of doubleheader race weekends, especially balancing drivers’ commitments and fans’ endurance under difficult weather. His remarks also underscore the importance of maintaining rigorous standards to ensure driver competency and safety, a crucial topic as NASCAR welcomes new entrants from diverse backgrounds. Looking ahead, these insights may influence how race organizers structure crossover events and how NASCAR manages driver qualifications to protect all participants on the track.
