NASCAR has always been known for its high-speed, bumper-to-bumper racing and exciting finishes. However, in recent years, some drivers have raised concerns about the current state of the sport. Denny Hamlin, a veteran driver with over 16 years of experience, is one of those drivers.

In a post-race interview at Martinsville Speedway, Hamlin expressed his frustration with the current state of NASCAR, calling it the “New NASCAR,” where track position is everything and passing with the Next Gen car has become nearly impossible.

Denny Hamlin Expresses Frustration with ‘New NASCAR’

Hamlin’s frustration comes from the difficulty of passing other cars on the track, which he believes is due to an aerodynamic problem that NASCAR needs to address. In his interview, he stated that cars with fresh tires and a 30-40 lap advantage couldn’t make up ground on those with older tires. This means that the aerodynamic design of the cars is so crucial that it’s almost impossible to overcome a deficit created by an early pit stop or a mistake on the track.

In a post-race interview after the Cup Series Race, Hamlin said, “It’s all track position. Racing is track position. This is the new NASCAR, where these cars you just cannot pass. You just get out front, don’t mess up on pit road, don’t mess up your strategy, and you’ll win.” 

He further added, “That’s how the #5 car won. It’s just tinker along, tinker along, and the race just falls right perfectly for him.”

In recent years, NASCAR has made several changes to the cars and tracks in an effort to improve competition and make the races more exciting. However, these changes have had unintended consequences, such as making it difficult for cars to pass each other on the track. The cars are now so aerodynamically dependent that drivers struggle to get close to each other.

As a result, track position has become more important than ever. Drivers who start at the front of the pack are more likely to stay there, while those who start further back have a harder time making their way to the front. This has led to races becoming more predictable, with the winner often being determined by who has the best strategy and not by who is the best driver.

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Clint Bowyer, a retired NASCAR driver, and current commentator who is infamous for being Tony Stewart’s Ex-NASCAR Protégé, echoed Hamlin’s frustration with the state of the sport on Twitter.

Bowyer criticized NASCAR’s short-track program, stating that it was “unacceptable” and that they needed to find a solution. Short tracks are notoriously difficult for passing, but with NASCAR’s current state, it has made it even harder for drivers to make a move. Bowyer’s tweet shows that drivers aren’t the only ones frustrated with the sport, but fans as well.

He tweeted, ‘1st step is owning it. Our short track program sucks. Unacceptable! Im confident they’ll find a solution. For now, the good news is they’re in the rear view for quite some time. Really looking forward to the wild, unpredictability that IS @TALLADEGA. Who’s coming?’ However, Bowyer also expressed confidence that NASCAR would find a solution to the problem. He pointed out that the sport has a long history of making changes to improve the racing, and that he believes it will continue to do so in the future.

Despite the current challenges, NASCAR still has a lot to offer fans, and with the upcoming race at Talladega, there’s no lack of excitement. The track is known for its high-speed racing and unpredictable finishes, making it a favorite among fans and drivers alike. With the current state of the sport, races like Talladega become even more important in keeping fans engaged and excited about NASCAR.

Regardless of what approach NASCAR takes, it’s clear that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Hamlin and Bowyer are not alone in their frustrations – many fans and drivers have expressed similar concerns about the current state of NASCAR. If NASCAR wants to maintain its position, it will need to find a way to balance the demands of competitiveness with the need for exciting, unpredictable racing.

READ MORE: “It’s a Full House” – Denny Hamlin Gives the Fans a Heart-Warming Surprise Ahead of Martinsville