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HAMPTON, GA – MARCH 18: Denny Hamlin 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Shingrix Toyota during qualifications for the Ambetter Health 400 NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series race on March 18, 2023 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 18 NASCAR Cup Series Race Atlanta Icon953230318382
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HAMPTON, GA – MARCH 18: Denny Hamlin 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Shingrix Toyota during qualifications for the Ambetter Health 400 NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series race on March 18, 2023 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 18 NASCAR Cup Series Race Atlanta Icon953230318382
This past Sunday, NASCAR was at the Martinsville Speedway for its Cup Series race. It was not exactly a great day in the office for Denny Hamlin, who finished fourth in the race. He was behind race winner Kyle Larson, defending champion Joey Logano, and his own teammate, Martin Truex Jr.
Unfortunately, Hamlin was not too happy with the short-track package that was implemented at the Martinsville Speedway.
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Denny Hamlin makes a request to NASCAR
In the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin mentioned, “Is it worth it, to try and get a million dollars less engine bill? Are you willing to give up, what we’re giving up for our on-track product? I just don’t think that it’s worth it.”
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NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Practice and Qualifying Apr 15, 2023 Martinsville, Virginia, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin 11 looks on during qualifying at Martinsville Speedway. Martinsville Martinsville Speedway Virginia USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxDavidxMercerx 20230415_jdm_sx1_031
“The engine bills have not gone down, since we were running 900 horsepower, it was the same. I don’t know where we’re going, and I know I’ve talked about this before. But I really, really, really, really am pleading with NASCAR, who I guarantee you, is listening to this.
“You got to give us some horsepower back.”
What should NASCAR fix with the NextGen car? DH breaks it down 👇
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“Our RPM, or something, to create the passing that we need to.”
Was Denny Hamlin justified in his criticisms?
Hamlin’s main gripe was that overtaking was so difficult. According to him, it had reached a point where the race could only be won through a strategy battle in the pit lane. Apparently, Larson, Logano, and Truex Jr spent much of the race battling in the midfield. They only catapulted up the order after staying out during late cautions and being able to defend with fresher tires.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 11, 2023; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) during qualifying for the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
For his part, Larson took over the lead from Logano with 29 laps remaining. From there, he managed to win the race with a four-second margin over the Team Penske driver. This new package, which Hamlin seems to dislike, has 30% less downforce, at short tracks and road courses. As a result, the cars were a lot more difficult to drive. Admittedly, this was not very evident at Martinsville, but even Logano noted that overtaking was a huge challenge.
WATCH THIS STORY: “No Clue How That Is a Penalty” – Kyle Busch Exposes NASCAR’s “Contradictory” Side After Being Left in Disbelief of Denny Hamlin’s Controversial Verdict
