The conclusion of the regular NASCAR Cup Series season came with the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, but many fans found the preceding Xfinity race to be more engaging. Denny Hamlin pinpointed the design of the cars as the key reason why the Xfinity contest offered a better on-track experience than the Next Gen Cup race that followed.
Hamlin argued that the Xfinity car package encourages more dynamic racing, while the Gen 7 Cup cars tend to restrict the flow of competition, especially at a fast, wide circuit like Daytona.
Hamlin Details How Xfinity Cars Create Better Racing Space
Since the launch of the Gen 7 Cup car in 2022, there has been ongoing debate about whether the Xfinity Series produces more compelling racing. Hamlin reiterated this perspective while reflecting on his own struggles at Daytona, explaining that the Xfinity cars offer drivers more room to maneuver.
My record at Daytona, guys, is horrible,
Hamlin admitted.
I just stop racing and wait on the field to thin because that’s what to me watching the race from about 50 car lengths behind for most of the time. It seemed like the race, and we talked about on this podcast before it really took a turn when the field thinned out.
There was more room to move. You know, (Ryan) Blaney coming from 13th in the final couple laps, he had room to navigate. That’s what’s so great about the Xfinity cars and the Xfinity package.
If you look there’s space between the cars. They’re not right on each other all the way around the racetrack, where a lot of times, the NextGen, we just get log jammed in this two or three-wide racing. It looks good, but you can’t really go anywhere.
Hamlin remarked that the Cup race did improve near the end, when the pack spread out enough to generate more competitive action.
But at the end of the race, there was enough chaos up front, enough air moving where it created some good passing, and it looked like a very entertaining race from my seat.
Hamlin’s Thoughts on Shane Van Gisbergen’s Playoff Prospects
Looking ahead to the NASCAR playoffs, Hamlin also assessed the chances of Shane Van Gisbergen, who is tied with Hamlin for the highest number of wins this season but has faced challenges on oval tracks. Hamlin conveyed a mix of respect for Van Gisbergen’s progress and skepticism about how far he will advance in the postseason.
It’ll be a challenge. But here, he’s got twenty-two actual bonus points… he’s not in a bad spot. All he needs is a few of these guys to have lackluster days and he goes in there, finishes top twenty, top twenty, and he’ll find himself in a decent spot going in that last cutoff race.
Hamlin acknowledged Van Gisbergen’s improvement on oval circuits since the start of the year.
He’s been progressing and getting better on the ovals. At the beginning of the year, he was definitely a last-place contender on the ovals, but he’s not that now. I think he’s putting himself in the low 20s to teens sometimes.
Despite this, Hamlin doubted that Van Gisbergen will reach the Round of Eight playoffs.
Does he make the round of eight? No,
Hamlin stated.
The playoffs are set to begin at Darlington Raceway, where Van Gisbergen finished 20th during the regular season, a venue where Hamlin himself has claimed victory.
Implications for Daytona Racing and Upcoming Playoffs
Denny Hamlin’s observations highlight ongoing challenges with the Next Gen Cup car’s performance at superspeedways, especially in contrast to the Xfinity Series machinery. The Xfinity cars’ ability to maintain space between competitors seems to encourage cleaner, more strategic racing, which fans and drivers alike have noticed.
As the NASCAR playoffs approach, Hamlin’s analysis not only reflects on the technical aspects influencing race excitement but also signals the competitive dynamics likely to unfold among drivers, particularly Van Gisbergen’s quest to advance against a strong field. The evolving car packages and driver performances will remain under close scrutiny as the season intensifies.
