Phoenix Raceway has faced plenty of criticism in the past. For years, fans have tirelessly campaigned for improvements to the on-track action (or lack of it) at ‘The Desert Oddball,’ prompting NASCAR to take drastic action. Ahead of the 2025 Shriners Children’s 500, each team was given three sets of ‘option’ tires, which completely changed the dynamics of the race at the 1-mile track. The softer, faster-wearing tires proved to be a game-changer, as the newfound grip allowed racers to easily overtake their competitors, providing added advantage.

However, Denny Hamlin wasn’t won over by the change. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran shared his thoughts on the option tires on the latest iteration of his podcast, revealing that it allowed undeserving drivers to compete for triumphs.

Could teams take advantage of tire options going forward?

It wasn’t the result Denny Hamlin was hoping for. Despite showing a lightning-fast pace in his No. 11 Toyota, the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran finished 0.049 seconds behind teammate Christopher Bell at Phoenix Raceway. While the Oklahoman was a deserved winner, leading 102 laps to make it three in a row, the 44-year-old believes that the optional tires could potentially pave the way for undeserved winners in the future, especially because of the tremendous grip they offer on the racetrack.

Speaking on the Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin said, “I’m probably going to be too much of a purist for you guys. I just, we have so many novelties as it is, Lucky Dogs… Green-Light Checkers. We’ve done everything we can in the sport, rules-wise, to make it entertaining. I don’t know. I’m just too old school to tell you that I want options for tires. It’s just another way that the best car will not win.”

It’s undeniable that the optional tires made the race in Phoenix exciting. The softer compound gave drivers more grip, helping them gain track positions. However, they also degraded faster, forcing teams to act on their feet and make sound strategy calls to capitalize on every advantage possible. Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain was the perfect example, as the No. 1 Chevy driver went from P34 to P10 in just 14 laps, taking advantage of the optional tire the way it was intended. However, Hamlin was not against the softer compound as such.

The veteran felt that the softer compound was a huge success, something that he had been wanting for a long time. His only gripe was that it was optional! “I certainly think that we’ve got a winner,” Hamlin said on his podcast. “Me and Dale Jr. believed for the longest time that Goodyear has the keys to NASCAR Cup Series racing, and I think it’s evident that we were right. We got tire falloff, we finally got them to put some soft tires on the car. The results from the racing we’ve seen speak for itself.”

The softer compound allowed for much better passing and made the race a spectacle to watch, unlike previous races at Phoenix Raceway. In November 2023, Ross Chastain led 157 laps at Phoenix en route to the win, and in March of the same year, Larson led 201 laps but ultimately finished fourth. In contrast to Sunday’s race, where Bell led 105 laps, William Byron led 83 laps, and Joey Logano led 81 laps, showcasing the parity that these tires have brought to the race. However, Hamlin is still reserved in terms of it being optional, and Trackhouse Racing #88 Shane Van Gisbergen echoed this sentiment after the race, saying, “It probably should be the main tire, and they should make a softer one.”

Meanwhile, the Athletic’s Jeff Gluck was full of praises about the tire compound the race, posting on X, “No matter what happens for the rest of this race, the biggest winner might be Goodyear. This softer compound is super racy.” However, Denny Hamlin couldn’t help but feel that the drastic difference in performance between the different tire compounds was far from ideal, as it gave slower cars the added advantage of gaining track positions.

While some may call it an attempt to ‘level the playing field,’ the Florida native couldn’t help but express his concerns at the sheer advantage, which could allow undeserved cars to snatch wins from the traditional heavyweights. Could there be an element of truth in Hamlin’s words? Or is the Joe Gibbs Racing driver overreacting, especially considering that Bell, who deserved to win, secured his third triumph in four races in 2025? Time will tell.

Trending

1

“I’ll Probably Be Crying”- Tony Stewart Insinuates Early NHRA Exit as Wife Leah Pruett Confesses Biggest Racing Roadblock

2

Richard Petty’s Son Betrays the King’s NASCAR Legacy With Humble Dale Earnhardt Claim

3

3x Daytona 500 Champ Left in Tears Accompanying Tony Stewart’s Rival Into the Motorsport Hall of Fame

4

NASCAR Star Drops Life-Changing Announcement as Racing Community Melts Over Welcome Surprise

5

When Bubba Wallace Left Rick Hendrick & Co. Shell-Shocked With Las Vegas Outburst

Denny Hamlin hates seeing Christopher Bell win

It’s not easy settling for a runner-up finish. Just ask Denny Hamlin, who was on the verge of breaking his longstanding winless streak at Phoenix Raceway. Losing to your rival always hurts, but a teammate? One can argue that’s even worse, especially when they have secured three triumphs in a row, something nobody has ever done in a Next-Gen car. That’s exactly what the 44-year-old felt at ‘The Desert Oddball’, as it removed any excuse about a difference in car performance with both racers using the same equipment.

Sharing his thoughts about Christopher Bell winning at the Circuit of The Americas, Hamlin couldn’t help but say, “There is nobody that I hate seeing win more than my teammate because I know he’s driving the same thing that I’m driving. I love Christopher, he’s a great dude. I don’t want him to beat me, you always measure yourself off your teammates. I’m congratulating Heather (JGR co-owner) and Joe [Gibbs], it’s a big win for the team. But as a driver, as a competitor, we do not like seeing our teammates win.” So watching him win once again would have been brutal, especially considering he was less than a hundredth of a second behind him.

Despite the heartbreaking outcome, there were plenty of encouraging signs for Denny Hamlin at Phoenix Raceway. The veteran was lightning-fast around the 1-mile track, securing his best result in 16 Cup Series races. With momentum on his side, the No. 11 Toyota driver will aim to capitalize on opportunities at Las Vegas, Homestead-Miami, and Martinsville to secure a playoff berth as soon as possible. However, with Bell standing in his way, the challenge has never been tougher for the Florida native. Will he rise to the occasion or wilt under the pressure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!