Denny Hamlin’s Crew Chief Slams NASCAR: Denny Hamlin‘s crew chief, Chris Gabehart, has criticized NASCAR for the declining quality of its races. He argues that these vehicles have diminished the significance of driver skill. He highlights a lack of overtaking opportunities that impact the competitive edge of talented drivers.
Key Highlights
- Chris Gabehart criticized the Next Gen cars for reducing driver skill’s impact on race outcomes, making racing less competitive.
- He expressed concerns that advanced engineering has turned drivers into mere participants rather than skilled competitors.
- The lack of overtaking opportunities diminishes the excitement and competitiveness typically seen in NASCAR races.
- Gabehart highlighted the community’s dissatisfaction with race quality, echoing sentiments from figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Proposed changes include modifying stage lengths and reintroducing complexities from the Gen 6 car era to enhance racing dynamics.
Gabehart and Hamlin’s Top-10 Finish at Talladega
Denny Hamlin’s top-10 finish at Talladega, where he crossed the line in tenth place. The 2.6-mile track demands driver skill and tactical insight from the crew chief.
In this instance, Chris Gabehart’s leadership played a pivotal role in maneuvering the complexities of the race. Gabehart’s dissatisfaction with the general race quality highlights a critical issue in superspeedway racing.
“I just don’t see any greatness. There’s qualifying up front and there’s a little bit of a tussle after an event. A green flag falls off or a pit cycle just completes and there’s a little bit of flustering.”-(chris)
Despite the favorable outcome for Hamlin, the crew chief’s reservations indicate that there are underlying factors that detract from the spectacle of the event.
Gabehart’s Views on Superspeedway Racing in the Next Gen Era
While the Next Gen era has brought substantial changes to NASCAR, Chris Gabehart‘s reflections on superspeedway racing reveal a troubling trend: the diminishing role of driver skill in achieving success.
He pointed out that once drivers get lined up, the competitive edge that differentiates skilled drivers from their peers is largely neutralized.
“But once they all get lined up, you’re just stuck. There’s no more driver ability. No more driver talent to speak of.” -(chris)
This perspective resonates with sentiments echoed by other prominent figures in the sport, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Chase Briscoe.
Gabehart’s Solution to Improve Superspeedway Racing
To tackle the issues in superspeedway racing, Chris Gabehart has proposed a solution to bring back the focus on driver skill in these intense situations. His plan involves changing the lengths of race stages to match the size of fuel tanks.
“If we want driver racing discipline to matter again at these tracks we have to do something. I am a proponent of making the stage lengths the length of the fuel tank. So, all of the pitting that’s necessary to be done is under caution. We will all have fuel to make it to the caution that we care about.”-(chris)
Gabehart’s suggestion reflects a broader desire to reintroduce the nuanced complexities that once defined plate racing, particularly during the era of the Gen 6 car.
Gabehart acknowledges that the upcoming offseason presents an opportunity for NASCAR to evaluate these suggestions thoroughly.
Chris On His Way to Provide Redemption to Hamlin
During the recent race at Hollywood Casino at Kansas, the #11 team faced significant challenges that impacted their performance. Denny Hamlin struggled with track position, losing a total of 60 spots across seven pit stops, averaging a loss of 8.57 positions per stop, according to Racing Insights.
Things took a turn for the worse when a critical error forced Hamlin to pit again before Stage 2 due to a loose rear wheel. This mistake left tire changer Devon Youker visibly dejected after the race. Despite the setback, Chris Gabehart, the team’s pit boss, provided encouragement in a video shared by Joe Gibbs Racing on YouTube.
“I know that hurts… But hey, that’s competing at the world’s top level. And it ain’t f—–n’ easy. You’re going to have to dust yourself off. We have to get ready to go again.”
-(chris)
After finishing eighth at Kansas, Hamlin’s performance at Talladega Superspeedway was similarly challenging, where he placed 10th. The team is now focused on regrouping and preparing for their next race as they aim to improve their results moving forward.
News in Brief: Denny Hamlin’s Crew Chief Slams NASCAR
The concerns raised by Denny Hamlin’s crew chief regarding declining race quality in NASCAR highlight notable challenges within the current superspeedway format. The shift to the Next Gen era has introduced complexities that have altered the competitive landscape, potentially diminishing the uniqueness of Cup Series racing. Addressing these issues through targeted solutions may be crucial for revitalizing the excitement and integrity of the sport, ensuring that it remains engaging for both competitors and fans alike.
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