“Sport Is Getting Smaller?” – Denny Hamlin Defends NASCAR Against Allegations by Media Journalists

NASCAR is not as mainstream as the NBA or NFL yet. Still, coming from the same country, there’s bound to be comparisons. More importantly, comparisons are based on relevancy, impact on popular culture, and how the sport is growing. For NASCAR, it is a grueling schedule of 36 races spanning across ten months of the year. Therefore, the hype and anticipation run hot and cold based on the race’s venue and major events.

Only when it gets to playoffs, do things start to become interesting. At least that’s the common perception if you go by Netflix’s Full Speed docuseries. So what’s lacking for NASCAR for it to be omnipresent? While industry experts have claimed that the sport is in decline, JGR’s No.11 Denny Hamlin believes that NASCAR is the biggest it has ever been in recent times in revenue and monetary metrics.

Denny Hamlin is not sold on the idea that NASCAR is on a decline

In a recent episode from Hamlin’s show Actions Detrimental, he was joined by prominent journalists Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi. They discussed a range of topics like Netflix’s documentary series, charter agreement and the preview of the overall season. Hamlin had a contrasting opinion and belief to that of the journalist who spoke about how NASCAR is getting smaller.

Jeff Gluck suggested how NASCAR is getting smaller pointing at the weekend schedule. Also, explaining how NASCAR as a product is not built up as a great one as the NFL or NBA. To which Hamlin replied, “I know but the revenue would say otherwise. It’s an interesting thing, you feel like it’s shrinking yet it’s bigger than it’s ever been in the financial aspect.”

While most of the Cup Series drivers would not like to speak up about or against popular opinion, that’s not how Hamlin operates. He has been vocal about his views on how NASCAR has been growing in the sense of a corporation but not in terms of a sport. The JGR No.11 has even gone to the extent of proposing ideas to make the sport better. However, NASCAR being the old rigid body has paid little attention to his suggestions so far.

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But if there’s one thing NASCAR has done right by the fans is the release of a Netflix documentary series and it was approved by Denny Hamlin and his guests on the show.

Full Speed docuseries portrayed the most authentic versions of Cup Series drivers

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Not everyone is a fan of Netflix’s catalogue of docuseries and going into NASCAR’s very own Full Speed docuseries, there was doubt and scepticism ahead of its release. However, it was not the case in the end. Both NASCAR and Netflix came true on their promise of raw and real perspective of the drivers and the teams. So much so that even Jeff Gluck heaped praises of its authentic nature and real behind-the-scenes footage.

Denny Hamlin, who himself is featured in the series, noted how there was nothing extra added to bring up the characters. “The little I know of Ross, the little I know of William, the little I know of Joey. I feel like everyone was portrayed as they are. I didn’t see any extra dramatization I guess I could say of someone’s character that is not real (…) I certainly think that did really a good job.”

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If we are to go by the mega $7.7 billion TV & Streaming deal and the current portrayal of NASCAR on the docuseries, NASCAR is not declining. Perhaps they have yet to reach their peak in recent years. How do you think the sport can grow even further?