Denny Hamlin calls out NASCAR media for ‘cop out’ argument in wake of Daytona 500

For years as driver aggression has led to the “Big One” at Daytona and Talladega, the mantra has been “that’s just superspeedway racing.” But after Sunday’s Daytona 500, Denny Hamlin is fed up with that analysis.

Speaking on Monday’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast, Hamlin called it a “cop out for those who make stupid moves,” referring to the three big wrecks which took place in the last 15 laps.

“You will hear all week from media, ‘That’s just superspeedway racing.’ And all that is, is a cop out for those who make stupid moves. No one holds anyone accountable anymore,” Hamlin said. “You chalk it up to, ‘Eh, it happens all the time.’ How about we actually call out what it is.”

Six of the last eight Daytona 500s have gone to overtime, and three of the last five finished under caution. That includes this year’s Great American Race, in which Hamlin — leading the race on the final lap of overtime — found himself involved in a multi-car wreck after Cole Custer went for his winning move on the back straightaway. William Byron, running seventh at the time, escaped through the carnage to take the checkered flag.

Denny Hamlin rips state of NASCAR after Daytona

Hamlin feels luck plays too much a role in deciding the winner on superspeedways. Now, Hamlin said, it’s a “f***ing crapshoot.”

“Are the cars making us do this, are the drivers doing this? Like, it’s a combination of both, I believe,” Hamlin said. “But I’m losing my love for the sport of it. Because I feel like it’s going by the wayside for the sake of entertainment. And I don’t think anybody built this car for superspeedway entertainment, but … it starts by over time we used to run 200 mph at superspeedways and the cars were hard to really drive and handle. Daytona 500 was a battle of the best driver and the best team that brought the best car that had a great setup under. And some of the greats of our sport could navigate the traffic and use it to their advantage.

“That is gone now, just like the art of passing on short tracks. Now, we just knock each other out of the way and say, ‘That’s just short track racing.’ We gotta get this thing back. … But what upsets me is I spend so much money at 23X to ensure my team and my drivers have the best cars available to go out there and compete for a win. But it’s just such a f***ing crapshoot now. And I hate what is supposed to be our most prestigious race — a showcase of heroes — is luck. And I don’t care how else you wanna say it, it is luck.”

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