Denny Hamlin has long been an advocate for addressing the issue of passing in NASCAR by increasing the cars’ power. The sport has been facing issues related to the Next-Gen car in short track races, and many have suggested that increasing power could be the answer. Despite teams and drivers urging NASCAR to make this change, the governing body has been hesitant and exploring alternative solutions.
As a veteran of Joe Gibbs Racing and co-owner of 23XI Racing, Hamlin has participated in numerous tests conducted by NASCAR to address the passing issue. However, none of these attempts have proven effective so far. Consequently, the three-time Daytona 500 winner believes that meeting the drivers’ request for increased power is the most viable option.
Hamlin has expressed his confusion over NASCAR’s reluctance to embrace this approach. While he acknowledges that the governing body is focused on attracting new manufacturers and partners to the sport, he warns against sacrificing the quality of the racing product to achieve this goal.
Instead, Hamlin urges NASCAR to address the issue by tackling the excessive fuel usage by drivers during races. Combined with tire issues, these factors contribute to the difficulty of passing on short tracks. Implementing a simple solution to these problems would greatly improve the overall racing experience.
Looking ahead, NASCAR should prioritize finding a solution to the passing issue by the 2024 season. If alternative solutions do not yield results, the governing body should not hesitate to heed the drivers’ advice.
