Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, has openly rejected a controversial NASCAR Cup Series rule change proposal for the 2025 season, citing serious concerns about its financial impact and practicality. Speaking shortly after the potential change was discussed within the Cup Series community, Hamlin expressed his disapproval, raising alarms about the potential multimillion-dollar costs teams could face if the rule was implemented, especially considering the winner’s prize remains just one million dollars.
The proposed rule aimed to introduce fewer restrictions on modifications to the Next Gen chassis and parts during the All-Star break, a move intended to invigorate the exhibition race with more unpredictability and fan engagement. Denny Hamlin, recalling his own success in the 2015 All-Star race, acknowledged the appeal such changes might hold for drivers and fans who crave excitement and unpredictability on the track. However, he was quick to highlight the underlying complications, sharing on his Actions Detrimental podcast that while having cars at different speeds could boost passing and provide valuable lessons for NASCAR’s short track package, the reality of the cost was impossible to ignore.
“If you’re just talking to me – the race car driver and the fan – I’m going to say, damn, I wish we had this. This would be fantastic. There could possibly be something that gets learned for the short track package that could make it better. You know, the thought of having cars that are different speeds than each other is fantastic. That means passing will be more plentiful. There are a lot of positives that could come from that,” Denny Hamlin explained. Yet, he followed with a pointed question, “Everyone wants to go have fun and do all these things, but who is going to pay for it?”
Denny Hamlin emphasized that, despite the concept’s appeal, the proposal lacked adequate planning and foresight. He stated, “As a fan, as a driver, I wish we could do it, but under the parameters that were set, it just wasn’t thought out enough. It’s not feasible and no team is going to sign up to voluntarily lose millions of dollars.”
This strong stance by Denny Hamlin highlights a growing conflict in NASCAR as the sport seeks to balance spectacle with sustainability. The outcome of this debate could influence how future seasons approach rules, costs, and the expectations of fans and teams alike, leaving the issue far from resolved.
