The race’s last quarter in Bristol exposed a concerning truth. The leaders, Kyle Larson and 32nd-place drivers, had identical lap times of 16 seconds and 16.1 seconds, respectively. It was impossible to pass. Ryan Blaney, keeping up with Larson’s speed, was stalled five spots behind him due to a traffic jam that wouldn’t let up. The story was obvious from the FOX sticker, which intermittently displayed lap times: the field was too even and too static. There was a lot of excitement at Bristol Motor Speedway, but as soon as the checkered flag was raised, there was a profound calm that affected both drivers and spectators. Instead of serving as a demonstration of NASCAR’s unadulterated passion, the race served as a stark reminder of its most serious shortcomings. Denny Hamlin, an experienced chauffeur for Joe Gibbs Racing and co-owner of 23XI Racing, didn’t mince words. His frustration echoed the sentiments of fans who watched cars crawl in a near-identical pack, unable to break free. The race exposed a truth: NASCAR’s Next Gen car is choking the sport’s competitive spirit.
Denny Hamlin has no idea what NASCAR will do. The outcry of dissatisfaction was not limited to the spectators. Seven-time champion and NASCAR veteran Richard Petty spoke up, his voice bearing the weight of history. “Giving them more horsepower is the way to make it more exciting,” Petty stated following the 2025 Daytona 500. Let them run more quickly. The more quickly they move, the more the driver has to stay alert. Petty’s longing for high-horsepower combat resonated because it harked back to a period when the sport was defined by strategy and audacity. On his podcast, Actions Detrimental:, Denny Hamlin disclosed the tragic realities of this circumstance. “I’m not sure what we anticipate. We constructed this vehicle. This is what NASCAR’s owners desired. They desired to build a sports car, and we’re gonna race this sports car on all these different tracks, and it just doesn’t race well… I think that there are fixes that we can do to it, but I’m not in charge… I’m part of the NASCAR meetings.
Nothing is in the near future. There hasn’t been any conversation about fixing issues that actually need to be fixed. One in particular is the platform that we run it on, where the front is a foot in the air and the back is compressed to the ground. The Next Gen car’s design is the focus of Hamlin’s diagnosis. Cars’ ability to maneuver in traffic is destroyed by the underbody downforce, which is intended to steady them. Cup cars remain attached to the track, untouched by pursuers, in contrast to Xfinity cars, where pursuing drivers can break the leader’s hold by approaching. As a result, races become processions and drivers are deprived of tactical options. Hamlin’s solution is to increase horsepower, raise the rear of the vehicle, and switch to over-body downforce 750 or even 900, as he argued earlier. “The engine bills are the same,” Hamlin explained on SiriusXM NASCAR radio. “The issue seems to be red tape, obviously,” he added.
According to what we’ve heard, NASCAR says, “Well, another manufacturer, they’re close, they’re close.” Until then, I believe it would be wise to give the public what they desire. However, NASCAR’s reaction has been, at best, indifferent. “Well, it’s interesting that he would bring it up because if we want costs to go way up, okay, we could do that tomorrow,” President Steve O’Donnell retorted. “We can pull that trigger tomorrow if you want the OEMs to wonder why they are in the sport and you want to race without OEMs, which could result in significantly higher costs.” For Hamlin, who had previously complained about bureaucracy preventing them from moving forward, O’Donnell’s remarks seem like a dodge.
According to Brian Murphy, Brad Keselowski’s team insider, the extra horsepower won’t make any difference. “I’m absolutely thrilled if/when we add 250 HP to this platform and everyone is still disappointed,” he wrote on X. It is evident that Bristol served as a wake-up call. In addition to being a driver, Hamlin represents a sport at a turning point. However, because he acknowledged that there are no upcoming solutions, the question remains: will NASCAR take action before another race is lost to a haze of lost opportunities? The essence of racing is at stake.
Hamlin also criticized Goodyear
Everyone is talking about Denny Hamlin, who is still in shock following the Bristol race. criticized Goodyear as well. Still in shock from the race in Bristol, Denny Hamlin has everyone talking.
That track was Kyle Larson’s, and he led 411 laps as if it were his playground. However, Hamlin is not amused by the cheers since he is accusing Goodyear. “I don’t think Goodyear has the courage to soften the tire.” Yes, I believe, if the temperature is higher than 70 degrees. You may bring something more forceful. Some people are faster than others. After that, you might get some visitors. Right now, it’s just a very difficult balance. Hamlin shook his head in agreement. It’s quite natural why he’s frustrated. Bristol should be a battlefield, not a one-man operation. When Larson led 462 of 500 laps last fall, supporters accused Goodyear of ruining the competition. But earlier that year, in the spring race, there were 54 lead changes in a thrilling race that saw Denny Hamlin edge out Martin Truex Jr. for the win. And that entertainment was down to the tires. The tires wore off so fast at the 2024 spring Bristol race that Goodyear had to send out an extra set just to complete it!
Although Hamlin has always had a problem with the Next-Gen vehicle, he expects at least something to be done about the tires now that he knows the car is a problem that won’t be resolved right away. “You’ve made the cars and the drivers the same, and now everyone runs at the same speed,” he continued. But what comes next? These are the unforeseen repercussions of parity. Nobody will be able to get through. Hamlin was spot accurate, with only four lead changes and four leaders during the race. Bristol had an exciting feeling, but something didn’t feel quite right. Larson was quite dominant. Instead of a parade, fans want upheaval and change. Hamlin is asking for change, and it’s personal as he loves Bristol, with four wins there, but he knows it can be better. Goodyear’s tires and NASCAR’s bureaucracy seem to be choking the fight out of these races.
