A few days ago, Denny Hamlin, one of the biggest names and brands in NASCAR today, opened up on the sport’s need for superstars who’ll take the sport out of its niche and into the mainstream, like the good old days. However, it takes time to find or create stars. So until that happens, Dale Earnhardt Jr has a quick solution to the niche-mainstream problem.

The Hall of Famer recently pointed that the one thing from the Kansas race which could work in NASCAR’s favor, apart from the Watermelon Punch, was Hamlin himself.

Or to be more precise, Hamlin and Kyle Larson.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. points to a potential Hamlin-Larson rivalry

In a recent episode his podcast show, Earnhardt Jr touched upon how the Hamlin-Larson incident can turn fruitful for NASCAR.

“Here’s my thing, if I take Denny & Larson out of the cars, I don’t love a car getting wrecked and knocked out. I’m torn because that type of action, that drama, that whether love it or hate it, either one its what gets people tuned in,” Junior said.

“More of that and a bit of a friendly rivalry that would carry on if those two get to racing each other in the next couple of weeks and they continue to be physical to a point, imagine how great of a storyline that is for NASCAR, for fans, for broadcasters, for networks.”

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Junior reasons why NASCAR needs such storylines

Earnhardt further explained why NASCAR needs such things to happen “from time to time.” 

“We need that one on one, we need that. I know people probably don’t like Denny’s move but I’m telling you man, if we don’t have those controversial moments from time to time then we’re not growing I don’t believe,” he described.

“This kind of thing is what sends us up a notch in the mainstream.”

With that said, do you second Earnhardt Jr’s opinion of the potential Hamlin-Larson rivalry elevating NASCAR from niche to mainstream?

Let us know in the comments below.

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