In the world of NASCAR, Denny Hamlin has long been a figure who divides opinions. Often the target of boos and criticism for his fiery personality and sometimes controversial actions, Hamlin has managed to carve out a reputation as the “driver fans love to hate.” But in a surprising twist, Hamlin’s recent scathing criticism of the Daytona 500, combined with a less-than-stellar response from NASCAR, has sparked an unlikely reaction—an alliance between Hamlin and the fans who would usually scoff at his every word.
It all started innocently enough when NASCAR communications officer Mike Forde tweeted teasingly about an episode of the Hauler Talk podcast, where he would “explain why Hamlin was wrong again.” This tweet ignited a firestorm of reactions, and instead of siding with NASCAR’s official stance, fans began rallying behind Hamlin’s critique, giving him an unprecedented level of support.
Hamlin’s Blunt Critique of Daytona’s Decline
Hamlin, never one to sugarcoat his feelings, pulled no punches during his rant. The three-time Daytona 500 winner accused the sport’s biggest race of losing its competitive edge. According to Hamlin, the Daytona 500—once a prestigious event that showcased the skill of the best drivers and teams—had devolved into little more than a game of chance. He argued that the race, now largely shaped by the unpredictability of superspeedway racing, was no longer about driver skill, but about avoiding the inevitable wrecks.
“The Daytona 500 used to be a battle of the best driver and the best team,” Hamlin said. “Some of the greats of our sport could navigate the traffic and use it to their advantage. That art is gone now.”
This year’s race seemed to prove his point. After leading for six laps and positioning himself for a potential win, Hamlin was caught in a last-lap wreck, a chaotic pileup triggered by Cole Custer’s aggressive move. As a result, Hamlin finished in 24th place, while William Byron—who started the final lap in ninth—slipped through the wreckage to claim his second consecutive Daytona 500 victory.
Hamlin’s frustration was evident, as he lamented the state of racing: “It’s just a f—— c—shoot now,” he said, referencing the seemingly random nature of superspeedway racing. “You just have to avoid the wreck. That’s not racing.”
Hamlin wasn’t just upset about his own misfortune—he expressed sympathy for Byron, pointing out that if asked, the winner would have to explain his victory by saying, “I just didn’t get wrecked.” This, Hamlin argued, wasn’t the thrilling race fans once anticipated. Gone were the days when winners could proudly say, “My team brought an amazing car, we had great strategy, and I made the move to win the race.”
Targeting the Next-Gen Car and NASCAR’s Modern Era
The Next-Gen car has been a target of Hamlin’s ire for quite some time, and he didn’t hold back in his critique. Hamlin believes the Next-Gen car has fundamentally altered the dynamics of superspeedway racing, making it harder for drivers to demonstrate their true skill. “Every car is planted to the ground, which is why we are going down the straightaway just ram-rodding each other,” Hamlin explained, referring to the intense aerodynamic effects. This has, according to him, led to a more cautious form of racing, where drivers save fuel in anticipation of the final laps.
“In the Next-Gen era, it’s been horrendous,” Hamlin said bluntly. “The finishes have been bad, and I think it’s because of… fuel saving and all that. That’s not my forte, and I’ve got to learn to be better at it.”
NASCAR’s Misstep Backfires
However, NASCAR’s response to Hamlin’s criticism couldn’t have been more off-target. Mike Forde’s tweet mocking Hamlin for his take on the sport’s current state came across as dismissive and tone-deaf. Instead of winning over the fanbase, it resulted in fans firing back with passionate support for Hamlin.
“How out of touch do you have to be with the fans to be this stubborn and even CONFIDENT in how he’s wrong?” one fan tweeted. Another wrote, “No, @dennyhamlin is saying what the fans have been saying and other drivers have been thinking for a while now.”
The backlash against NASCAR’s dismissal of Hamlin’s critique was swift and undeniable, forcing many to question whether the sport is out of touch with its fans.
A Rare Moment of Unity
In a world where NASCAR fans are notoriously divided, it’s unusual to see such an outpouring of support for a driver like Hamlin. But his honest commentary on the state of Daytona 500 racing and superspeedway dynamics has clearly resonated with fans who feel similarly disillusioned with the current state of the sport.
This rare moment of unity between a driver and a fanbase is both eye-opening and telling. Hamlin’s comments, while controversial, have sparked a broader conversation about the direction of NASCAR—one that seems to be more focused on driver safety and entertainment value rather than true, raw racing.
In the end, this episode has created an unlikely alliance that not only challenges NASCAR’s authority but could also potentially lead to changes in how the sport approaches its biggest events. Fans have made it clear that they want more than just survival; they want competitive racing, and they want it now.
