Denny Hamlin Claims NASCAR’s Short Track Package Can Be Solved With “One Phone Call”

Beyond the charter negotiations and teams’ discontent with NASCAR over it, there’s one other gray area that drivers and industry experts like Denny Hamlin have always pointed out, and that’s the short-track debacle. Even since the introduction of the Next-Gen platform, racing has taken a hit, especially at the short tracks, which were once NASCAR’s best-selling product.

With racecars being almost identical with similar power figures and dynamics, passing and overtaking has become an uphill task for drivers. While the organization is testing the new generation of racecars to get to the end of this with new aero packages by adding in new splitters, veterans like Denny Hamlin have always vouched for a bump in power figures to do the trick, resolving the issue.

Now, with his 23XI Racing driver also siding with the veteran, Hamlin putting on the owner’s hat gave away how easy it is to break the back of the beast.

The solution to short-track woes is just “one phone call” away

NASCAR drivers have called for a bump in horsepower for years as the organization made cuts in what has been described as a cost-cutting move and a way to keep the competition tight. However, this has left the drivers struggling to pass each other, especially on tight, compact, short tracks.

Much like Dale Earnhardt Jr who believes that adding more horsepower will resolve the issue, Denny Hamlin believes that going back to the 750 horsepower plate will solve the issue and make the field super competitive.

While NASCAR is pointing at durability issues as more power often translates to reduced longevity, Hamlin said, “It won’t change any of the durability that they’ve got with no additional money.” When asked by the reporter after his driver Bubba Wallace also shared the same thing, Hamlin revealed that it would be a piece of cake for teams to go back to the old setting.

He said, “Just call up Doug Yates and TRD and say we’re going to go back to their old 750 plate. It can be done before next weekend.” 

Denny Hamlin explains how increasing the horsepower will make “racing better”

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The #11 JGR driver is a strong believer that increasing the power figures will resolve the short-track issue. In fact, he has been vouching for the change, being all vocal about it for the past few months. He reiterated the situation in his pre-race presser, laying down the facts on how this can truly make the races more engaging.

“I think any horsepower you can add will make the racing better. It’s hard to pass because we’re all in the gas so much and so you have to get us out of the gas either through the tire or the horsepower It’s that combination that makes passing so difficult,” he said.

Furthermore, he added, “So the more you can get us out of the gas which means if we have more horsepower we have to let off sooner that gives the opportunity to overtake for the car that’s behind so 50 horsepower while it may not be a game changer. Any horsepower gain from here on out will be an advantage to passing.” 

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin Disagrees with Teammate as Both Give Contrasting Feedback for the Short Track Package

With experts and former drivers deeming that this will get things going again, NASCAR’s decision is more important than ever. Will they finally address the issue with a horsepower increase? Only time will tell.