When NASCAR rolls into Richmond, you can always count on high drama, thrilling moments, and excitement! The latest race proved just that. Austin Dillon emerged victorious, but not before making headlines with a bold move: he intentionally wrecked race leaders Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin, who were making a last-ditch effort to seize the lead. This race will be remembered not just for Dillon’s victory but for the intense, unforgettable moments that defined it.

However, the number of such iconic moments will be halved as Richmond lost a date in the 2025 NASCAR schedule. All the Richmond natives are disappointed! But not more than NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin, who earlier enjoyed the home advantage twice in a season.

Denny Hamlin calls Richmond “important,” and here’s why

NASCAR’s international expansion is gaining momentum with the addition of a new race in Mexico City, marking its first points event there on June 15th. To accommodate this, the Richmond track will now host only one race, on August 16th, as the penultimate event of the 2025 regular season. This change is surprising given Richmond’s tradition of hosting two Cup Series races annually since 1959, except in 2020 due to scheduling issues.

Despite the change, NASCAR knows the value of the track in the series. Reiterating this, Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President, said, “We’re still committed to Richmond. It’s an important track, an important market, certainly, as we think about where our NASCAR fans are today. We’ve seen some exciting storylines certainly come out of that track over the past few years and [we’re] excited to continue to be there next year.” 

Next, knowing this, not just the No. 11 driver, but the entire Hamlin family was disappointed. Reiterating this in a Frontstretch interview, Denny Hamlin said, “It’s a Bummer. It’s an absolute bummer for sure. But if you don’t show up these things happen. My family’s been a season ticket holder at Richmond for nearly forty years now.” 

Hamlin loosely touched upon the reduced popularity of people going to tracks to watch the race. This is new to him since he comes from an era when tracks were always jam-packed. “We used to barely find a seat to turn 2 to just got squished and reduced and reduced. The world is different now. There is just so much competition and content that you are chasing eyeballs that are glued to their phones so it’s hard to get them to a race track,” he added.

Hamlin’s disappointment is understandable. Being a native of Chesterfield, Virginia, he has a deep-rooted connection to the Richmond Raceway. Having attended numerous races at the track as a child and then fulfilled his dream of one day competing there. His familiarity with the track stems from his 13 seasons of racing twice a year in the NASCAR Cup Series, as well as his countless visits as a spectator. Additionally, this intimate knowledge of the Virginia track gives Hamlin a unique advantage compared to other drivers on the circuit. This is evident by his stats on the track.

Hamlin has capitalized on his home advantage

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Who can forget the first Richmond race of this year?

In the race, Denny Hamlin secured his 53rd career NASCAR Cup Series win, that to at his home ground. He defeated Joey Logano by a narrow 0.269-second margin. This marked his second victory of the season and his fifth triumph at the three-quarter mile oval. Even in the second race of 2024, Hamlin had accelerated towards the chequered flag, but Austin did not allow it and Hamlin finished in P2.

Noting his disappointment yet acceptance after the 2024 Federated Auto Parts 400, the JGR driver was heard saying, “I believe so. I believe that hard racing is still OK,” Hamlin said.

“I think if two cars are battling side-by-side and one of them hits the wall because of close racing that is going to be deemed OK. I think if you come from a long way back – you were not going to win the race until you decided to wreck someone, I think that is a clear line in the sand, but sometimes balls and strikes aren’t totally clear. There is one right on the edge, and you have to call it, but it is up to us to make the decision… I think if NASCAR polices it and intentional wrecks for the win going forward, there is going to be some close calls, but you put yourself in that spot, so you are going to live with the result and the ruling on it.”

The #11 has a stellar record on the track. His first in on the track came in the 2009 race in September. In his 36 appearances so far, he has managed to bag five wins. His consistency on the track has been off the charts, as he has managed twenty top 5s and twenty-four top 10 finishes.

In his last 5 races there, he finished 4th, 20th, 2nd, 1st, and 2nd being the most recent one. Having two opportunities in a season where you are the dominant force is surely something Hamlin would miss. What do you think about Richmond losing a date? Let us know in the comments below.