The once-glorious Daytona International Speedway might be losing its charm, suggests NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin. The acclaimed superspeedway, known for creating legends and scripting history, may be witnessing a decline in its reputation as the best drafting track.
Hamlin, a seasoned NASCAR driver, foresees a shift in the dynamics of the sport. He predicts that the Atlanta Motor Speedway, with its increasing resemblance to Daytona’s pre-2010 era, might soon overshadow the famed Daytona.
As per Hamlin, Atlanta’s hard tires and aging surface are ushering in a resurgence of old-school pack racing, reminiscent of Daytona’s halcyon days. He believes that with a few more years of track wear, Atlanta might surpass Daytona in delivering the kind of intense, skill-intensive racing that both drivers and fans crave.
So, why is Hamlin so convinced that Atlanta could steal Daytona’s spotlight in the draft? He shared his thoughts on his podcast, Actions Detrimental. “If you talk to most drivers, they would say, ‘Man, this is how super speedway racing used to be at Daytona before the repave,'” he said.
Hamlin compared Atlanta’s aging surface and its impact on car handling to Daytona before its 2010 repave. The recent repaves at Daytona resulted in smooth, fast, but somewhat predictable pack racing. In contrast, handling has become a critical factor at Atlanta, potentially leading to more exciting races. He stated, “I think that we’re still probably a couple of years from the prime of what Atlanta could be.”
Hamlin’s comments are not just predictions but are rooted in his own experiences at Atlanta’s track, despite his struggles with accidents, misfortune, and strategic blunders. He acknowledged that Atlanta, unlike the often procession-like races at Daytona and Talladega in recent years, presents a thrilling challenge to drivers.
The unpredictable nature of Atlanta’s track, according to Hamlin, could make it the most exciting drafting track on the circuit. However, this largely depends on NASCAR’s regulatory improvements and the city’s continued growth.
Hamlin’s predictions might not sit well with ardent Daytona enthusiasts. However, his logic is sound. If Atlanta continues to evolve as anticipated, it could revive the erratic, skill-centered pack racing that initially put Daytona on the map. It’s still unclear whether NASCAR will embrace this change or strive to restore Daytona and Talladega to their former glory.
Hamlin’s concerns about the future of superspeedway racing coincide with a heated debate over NASCAR’s safety regulations. This debate was reignited following a recent 28-car crash at Talladega, which brought NASCAR’s Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP) under scrutiny.
Chase Briscoe, one of the drivers impacted by the crash, criticized NASCAR’s response, highlighting the inconsistency in the directives given to drivers. “The officials are doing the best they can in their job, but they’re telling you one thing, and then your team is telling you NASCAR is telling them a different thing. It was just very confusing, for sure,” Briscoe said.
This incident underscores the challenges of managing superspeedway pack racing and raises questions about whether such large-scale wrecks will become commonplace. Will NASCAR amend its rules to avert such chaos, or will these scenarios become the new norm? Amid these debates, Hamlin’s comments about Atlanta’s potential rise as a superior superspeedway gain relevance.
As we await the future of superspeedway racing, one thing remains certain – Atlanta is making a compelling case as the future’s finest superspeedway.