Denny Hamlin recently detailed why the aerodynamic design of Next Gen NASCAR cars makes it challenging to improve superspeedway racing, particularly at tracks like Daytona and Talladega. Speaking on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin connected the current struggles to the physics built into the car, emphasizing how these factors complicate Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s vision for more dynamic and exciting pack racing.
The Core Problem Lies in the Next Gen Car’s Design
At the heart of the difficulty, Hamlin pointed out, is the Next Gen car itself. Compared to the older Gen 6 model, the Next Gen generates roughly 200 more counts of downforce and 100 additional counts of aerodynamic drag, despite having a similar spoiler size. This significant increase in drag cannot be addressed simply by trimming the spoiler, as the drag is inherently tied to the car’s overall body shape.
“It’s the body of these Next Gen cars that are just super, super draggy,”
Hamlin stated.
This drag issue prevents easy fixes, leaving NASCAR with no simple solution to restore the kind of pack racing that fans and drivers once enjoyed.
Earnhardt’s Superspeedway Vision Faces Aerodynamic Hurdles
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has proposed a concept where a car running at full throttle could create a gap from a pack running at reduced throttle, potentially encouraging more aggressive driving and breaking up the single-file lines that have become typical with Next Gen cars on superspeedways. Hamlin appreciates the concept, saying,
“There’s some sort of math equation there that can be had.”
However, he remains skeptical about the feasibility of achieving this under current aerodynamic conditions.
Even with a smaller spoiler, Hamlin doubts the cars could reliably create meaningful gaps on throttle alone, as the high drag forces mask any benefit. This leaves the goal of improving pack dynamics out of reach unless deeper aerodynamic modifications are made.
Incremental Changes Could Offer Some Relief
While the aerodynamic situation is frustrating, Hamlin encourages incremental progress rather than seeking overnight perfection. Drawing a parallel to ongoing debates about increasing horsepower, he emphasizes that small gains still matter. NASCAR can’t instantly jump to engines producing 900 or 1,000 horsepower but can make progress by adding smaller increments over time.
Similarly, Hamlin suggests that modifications like removing the Lexan cover from the spoiler might not solve the problem entirely but could deliver modest improvements in drag and help restore some competitive edge for drivers and excitement for fans.
This approach may disappoint those hoping for immediate, dramatic results, but Hamlin stresses that gradual improvements are preferable to stalling efforts while waiting for a flawless solution.
Frustration Reflects a Broader Concern in NASCAR
The Next Gen car was developed with multiple objectives in mind, but its impact on superspeedway racing has been widely criticized. The aerodynamic package, while advanced, has made it harder for drivers to separate themselves from the pack, leading to races increasingly influenced by fuel strategy and unpredictable incidents rather than pure racing skill. This has caused growing tension among drivers, insiders, and fans alike, who feel the essence of pack racing is being lost.
Denny Hamlin’s candid assessment shines a light on the aerodynamic complexities undermining superspeedway excitement and signals the urgent need for NASCAR to address these issues carefully and thoughtfully in the near future.
