Denny Hamlin Calls Out Kentucky Speedway for Lack of Preparation and Ignoring Driver Input

The NASCAR Cup Series visited the Kentucky Speedway last weekend and Cole Custer walked away with the win. However, two drivers were not too thrilled about the track conditions, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick.

They raised concerns about traction compounds at the Kentucky Speedway.

They are worried because Speedway Motorsports owns the Kentucky Speedway and the next track, Texas Motor Speedway.  Both Harvick and Hamlin are championship contenders, with four wins each.

They clearly disliked the traction compound being re-applied to Kentucky Speedway before last weekend’s Cup race.

“I love the Smith family, but they go rogue sometimes when it comes to thinking that they’re in the competition business,” Hamlin told the media in a virtual press conference.

“It’s disappointing because the information that NASCAR gets from us on track prep and how to prepare the racetrack to put on the best possible racing comes from the drivers who do it themselves, and they know better than anyone.

“Better than anyone.”

Why is Denny Hamlin raising these issues?

Speaking to Dustin Long from NBC Sports, a NASCAR spokesperson insisted that they are not changing the traction compound process. In addition, they reassured everyone saying that drivers are consulted before each race weekend.

However, Denny Hamlin observed that there was an issue with the Kentucky Speedway. According to him, the track was prepared differently and the drivers did not appreciate it.

Hamlin concluded, “We had a four-wide to the finish, that saved the day as far as A, do we have a great race or not? Man, you got to, I really wish SMI, in particular, would just kind of listen to the guidance in which the drivers and NASCAR give them when it comes to spraying these race tracks.”

Aside from that, Denny Hamlin will be eager to get to Kentucky and break the win deadlock. Without a doubt, Kevin Harvick will harbor similar intentions and surge ahead on the win counter.

However, there are plenty of other candidates who are eager to snatch victory from them.

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