When you think of superspeedway dominance, no names stand taller than Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr.. With a combined 23 superspeedway wins, the Earnhardts wrote the playbook on how to win at Daytona and Talladega. But according to three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, that playbook wouldn’t work in today’s NASCAR.
His controversial claim? The Earnhardts wouldn’t have been as successful under modern superspeedway racing rules.
Hamlin’s Take: Earnhardt’s Superspeedway Success Wouldn’t Translate Today
On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin explained why NASCAR’s current drafting rules and manufacturer influence would have made it tough for Dale Sr. and Dale Jr. to dominate like they did in their primes.
“Dale Jr. and Dale Earnhardt would have never survived in today’s superspeedway racing. Wouldn’t have done it. They wouldn’t have been successful because of how superspeedway racing happens today. But then to be told who you can and can’t draft with? It’s nonsense, but it’s the world we live in.”
What’s Changed in Superspeedway Racing?
🏎️ Manufacturer Control Over Drafting
- In Dale Sr. and Dale Jr.’s era, drivers could team up with anyone to work their way to the front.
- Today, OEMs (Chevy, Ford, Toyota) dictate who their drivers draft with, meaning no more cross-manufacturer alliances.
🔄 Team Alliances Over Individual Strategy
- In the past, drivers made real-time decisions based on who was fastest at the moment.
- Now, teams and manufacturers pre-plan drafting strategies, making races less about instincts and more about pre-race tactics.
🚀 No More Tandem Drafting
- Dale Jr. was a master of two-car tandem drafting, a style that allowed two drivers to slingshot past the field.
- After Kyle Larson’s 2014 airborne crash, NASCAR outlawed tandem drafting, making old-school strategies ineffective today.
Hamlin: “I Hate All of It”
Hamlin made it clear that he doesn’t agree with the level of control manufacturers have over superspeedway racing.
“We absolutely know that manufacturers play a role in who you draft with and who you don’t. Teams play a role with who you draft with and who you don’t… I hate all of it, just for the record. I’d rather use anybody and everybody to my advantage.”
In the Earnhardt era, winning at Daytona or Talladega was about smart, aggressive moves. Now, it’s about following manufacturer orders and playing the long game—something Hamlin believes would have limited Dale Sr. and Jr.’s ability to dominate like they once did.
Does Hamlin Have a Point? Or Is He Undermining the Earnhardt Legacy?
Naturally, Earnhardt fans weren’t happy about Hamlin’s comments. Some saw it as disrespecting two of NASCAR’s greatest superspeedway racers. Others, however, understood his point—today’s rules make it nearly impossible for any single driver to dominate superspeedway racing like the Earnhardts did.
📢 Debate:
✅ Hamlin is right – NASCAR’s modern superspeedway racing isn’t about raw talent anymore, it’s about manufacturers controlling the race.
❌ Hamlin is wrong – The Earnhardts were adaptable legends who would have found a way to win in any era.
Hamlin’s Own Challenges Ahead in 2025
Beyond his superspeedway comments, Hamlin has another major change coming—he’s getting a new crew chief. After years with Chris Gabehart, Hamlin will have to rebuild chemistry with a new crew chief, something he admitted will be a difficult adjustment this late in his career.
“It’s going to be a welcome change for Chris Gayle and a welcome change for me.”
Will this change finally help Hamlin secure the one thing missing from his career—a Cup Series Championship?
One thing’s for sure—his 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal of his career.
Final Verdict: A Bold Statement That Ignited a NASCAR Firestorm
Denny Hamlin’s claim that Dale Earnhardt Sr. & Jr. wouldn’t have won as much in today’s superspeedway racing is a hot take that has divided fans.
✅ Does he have a point? Yes—NASCAR’s rules make superspeedway racing more controlled than ever.
❌ Is it an insult to the Earnhardts? Maybe—but legends always find a way to win.
The question remains—if Dale Sr. and Dale Jr. were racing today, would they still dominate, or would the modern rules hold them back?
🚨 Let’s hear your thoughts—would the Earnhardts thrive or struggle in today’s superspeedway racing?
