The beginnings of any special thing, any special moment in time, is something that one keeps close to their heart, and holds dear for all the obvious reasons. The same is also the case for NASCAR driver and co-owner, Denny Hamlin.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who also has an ownership share in 23XI Racing with NBA legend, Michael Jordan, recently had his attention drawn to a potentially concerning situation as Southside Speedway, the track on which the #11 driver really started his career, could be lost for a “special area plan.”

Now, this track was shut down back when the pandemic hit, closing its gates after six decades of history, but since then, it hasn’t gone back to business.

So when a NASCAR fan brought it to Hamlin’s notice, the veteran driver simply replied, “I’m working on it.”

Could Denny Hamlin follow in Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s footsteps?

It’s also worth mentioning that Hamlin could take inspiration from his former colleague, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who himself has played a big role in the advocacy of saving historic but neglected racetracks from fading into oblivion.

Also Read: Dale Earnhardt Jr Asked for Major Favor From Bubba Wallace for $300 Million Worth’s ‘Hard to Explain Part’ After Major Wreck in 2018

In fact, Earnhardt Jr. has his own show about it called ‘Lost Speedways.’

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The NASCAR Hall of Famer played a key role in not only bringing attention towards the historical North Wilkesboro Speedway but also doing all he could in its restoration process.

The result?

North Wilkesboro Speedway hosted a few races in August in front of sold-out crowds and then earned the honor of hosting the NASCAR All-Star Race in 2023.

So if Denny Hamlin is contemplating taking some steps himself in saving his beloved childhood track, Dale Jr. is perhaps the guy he should be talking to. As for the fate of Southside Speedway, only time will tell.

But the fact that drivers like Hamlin and Junior care so much about their own past, the past of their community, as well as the history of their profession, it just goes to show why NASCAR is bigger than a sport.

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