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NASCAR Insider Shuts Down Denny Hamlin’s Daytona Complaints with Surprising William Byron Insight

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
February 20, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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NASCAR Insider Shuts Down Denny Hamlin’s Daytona Complaints with Surprising William Byron Insight

Feb 13, 2025; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) leads driver Kyle Larson (5) during Duel 2 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Denny Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, was looking primed for his fourth triumph at the 2025 Daytona 500. Confident in his abilities, Hamlin entered the race as a strong contender, with his skill and experience making him a favorite for the win. However, the last lap of the race saw his hopes dashed in a chaotic wreck that saw William Byron snatch the victory. Frustrated, Hamlin claimed that luck had played a bigger role in the race than skill and accused NASCAR’s superspeedway racing of prioritizing randomness over racing ability. But while many fans might have sympathized with his complaints, NASCAR insider Mike Forde quickly shut them down.

Hamlin’s Frustration: Daytona’s Shift from Skill to Luck

Hamlin, who had been in a prime position to win after leading the pack late in the race, was caught up in the wreck as the checkered flag loomed. For Hamlin, this was more than just another lost opportunity—it was the latest evidence that the Daytona 500 has shifted from a test of racing skill to a game of chance.

On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin argued that NASCAR’s marquee race had lost its edge. “Times have changed and I find myself in this position where it’s like, are we now gonna start viewing Daytona 500 winners like we question our champions? I hate the fact of how much luck is involved in NASCAR now,” Hamlin said. “It’s just a matter of wrecks at superspeedways.”

The veteran’s comments were met with a mix of support and skepticism. While many fans agreed with his assessment of how superspeedway racing has evolved, others saw his frustrations as stemming from his 26-race winless streak. Regardless, Hamlin’s sentiment seemed to resonate with some of NASCAR’s more disillusioned fans, who have watched the sport’s dramatic shift toward unpredictability in recent years.

Mike Forde Sets the Record Straight: Byron’s Win Was No Fluke

However, Mike Forde, a respected NASCAR insider, wasn’t buying the argument that luck was the main factor in William Byron’s victory. During a recent episode of Hauler Talk, Forde responded directly to Hamlin’s complaints, offering a perspective that painted Byron’s victory in a very different light. According to Forde, it wasn’t just fortune that helped Byron. “William Byron was not lucky,” Forde said. “He was prepared, he was talented, he had a really good car, and he had the opportunity. He did not win that race because he chose the outside line and just happened to not get in that wreck.”

Forde emphasized that Byron’s win wasn’t about simply avoiding a wreck—it was about his ability to make the right choices in the race and capitalize on the opportunities presented to him. Byron had the skill to position himself perfectly for a shot at victory, and when the wreck occurred, he was in the right place at the right time. While it’s easy to dismiss Daytona wins as “lucky,” Forde reminded listeners that Byron’s ability to seize those moments proved his talent was as crucial as any fortunate circumstance.

The Evolution of Daytona Racing: The Impact of the Next-Gen Car

One factor Hamlin has pointed to for the shift in Daytona 500 dynamics is the introduction of the Next-Gen car in 2022. Since then, the racing at superspeedways has become more unpredictable, with the cars now relying on aerodynamics to stay glued to the track. The tighter, more controlled draft has led to a lot of pack racing, where drivers are constantly jostling for position, but it’s also left less room for strategic, skill-based moves that once defined superspeedway racing.

Hamlin’s complaints about the unpredictability of superspeedway racing may not be entirely without merit, but Forde’s response serves as a reminder that racing still requires a combination of preparation, skill, and timing—whether it’s a “lucky” break or not. Byron’s win was not just a product of avoiding wrecks; it was a testament to his talent and his team’s strategy to give him the best chance in a race where chaos is often inevitable.

Looking Ahead: NASCAR’s Future and the Return of the “Luck Factor”

As the sport moves forward, the question remains whether races like Daytona can continue to be the stage for skillful, calculated racing, or if they’ll evolve into more of a lottery. While Hamlin’s frustration speaks to the challenges of adapting to a more chaotic form of racing, Forde’s defense of Byron shows that there is still room for drivers to control their destiny—if they have the right skillset and mindset.

For now, as NASCAR heads into another season of unpredictable superspeedway racing, it’s clear that fans and drivers alike will need to adjust to a sport where luck, strategy, and skill are often inextricably linked. And as for Denny Hamlin, while his complaints about Daytona might still resonate with some, it’s William Byron who will carry the trophy home—proving that sometimes, being in the right place at the right time is a skill in itself.

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