
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 15, 2023; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) speaks to the media at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Feb 15, 2023; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) speaks to the media at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
When NASCAR announced the new short-track aero package, there were many who were hopeful of it being the big change that the sport needed for a better racing product. However, the race in Phoenix wasn’t exactly that, something Denny Hamlin had already warned everyone about.
And not just that, Denny Hamlin once again made his point on why things won’t change in NASCAR when it comes to more competitive and exciting racing no matter the package or maneuvers.
“I tried in the media center to get everyone to pump their brakes a little on like, ‘Oh my gosh, this aero package is going to fix everything, it’s gonna change everything on the short tracks,'” Hamlin said in a recent episode of Actions Detrimental.
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“I said very specifically that temper expectations here because you know, this is just the first go at it.”

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KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 10: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Acumatica Toyota, walks the grid during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on September 10, 2022 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Denny Hamlin on the big issue which is plaguing the quality of racing in NASCAR
According to Hamlin, racetracks should also be held responsible for the poor racing product in a 50/50 share. After this, the veteran pointed out the bigger problem in the Cup Series, “a bigger issue.”
“Let me go back to parity…here’s the problem: what we saw on Sunday is what is wrong with parity. Parity means that most of all the cars are very similar, they’re same and the team in 25th place speed has the chance to win just as much as the 1st place guy,” he described. “That means that he’s running the same times.”
The #11 driver claimed that he looked at the timings and scoring from the Phoenix race, from which he observed that drivers from 1st to 20th place are running within a tenth of each other.
Naturally, in this state passing will always be difficult, Hamlin claimed, simply because everyone is running “the same damn speed” as the car in front will have “a dramatic advantage aero-wise.”

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NASCAR, Motorsport, USA United Rentals Work United 500 Mar 12, 2023 Avondale, Arizona, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson 5 leads the field for the start of the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Avondale Phoenix Raceway Arizona USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 20230312_gav_sv5_077
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Hamlin reacts to Kevin Harvick’s recent comments on new packages
Ahead of the race in Phoenix, Kevin Harvick had claimed that NASCAR needs to introduce new packages on a frequent basis so that the teams are surprised almost every week and everyone is on their toes.
This was taken as it was said by most, but Denny Hamlin had a different interpretation of it.
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“He’s saying that because he wants there to be a difference between the fast cars and the slow cars and unfortunately, this is what you get when you get parity. That’s when all the cars are exactly the same, the only difference is the crew chief’s setup, the driver, the engine, and the body,” Hamlin said.

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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 05: Denny Hamlin 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Clips Haircuts Toyota at fanfest before the start of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum on February 5, 2023, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 05 NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum Icon230205083
The 23XI Racing co-owner claimed that in his mind, there are only 8–9 elite drivers who can “carry the car a little bit more”, and then there’s a pack of 12–15 drivers, who if given fast cars, can run up front as well.
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“So this is the only problem with parity, is that passing will be reduced,” Hamlin once again emphasized.
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