Denny Hamlin, known for his sharp opinions on modern NASCAR racing, has made a passionate plea to Joe Gibbs Racing, urging the team to let him compete in one final Xfinity superspeedway race. Sharing his thoughts just after Sunday’s thrilling Xfinity event at Talladega Superspeedway, Hamlin voiced his desire on Monday’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast, making it clear he wants a shot at experiencing the electric superspeedway action before stepping away from the series for good. Drawing a strong contrast between the current state of superspeedway racing in the Cup Series and the excitement he sees in Xfinity, Hamlin openly requested,
Joe Gibbs Racing if you’re hearing this — sign me up for a Xfinity superspeedway race.
Hamlin’s admiration for the Xfinity Series comes from what he feels is a purer, more dynamic form of superspeedway competition. Unlike the Next Gen Cup car, which Hamlin says keeps drivers stuck in the pack and unable to break free for game-changing moves, the Xfinity cars remind him of the past — when side-by-side battles, dramatic momentum shifts, and the possibility for creative racing lines made every lap compelling.
That is how racing used to be,
Hamlin remarked, contrasting the current Cup racing environment with the unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat excitement he sees in the Xfinity garage.
These cars are moving around, you can create runs,
Denny Hamlin explained, pointing out how modern Xfinity cars allow drivers to influence the race rather than simply surviving in the draft. He encouraged fans to compare recent finishes between the two series, suggesting even a quick look would reveal why Xfinity racing still holds his attention.
The racing is so good. It’s because they have the bubble effect where they get close to each other, they push each other away instead of having to make contact. Xfinity, man, it just looks so fun. I wanna do it.
Despite being a three-time Daytona 500 winner, Hamlin has grown frustrated with what he sees as the randomness of the Cup Series on superspeedways, especially after this year’s Daytona 500 where he crashed on the final lap. According to Hamlin, the event has transformed into a “game of luck,” with rule changes over the years placing an emphasis on close finishes for television but restricting the ability of drivers to actually race for the win based on skill and strategy.
It started when we took away horsepower because we wanted to look good on TV,
he said, criticizing changes that he believes have shifted the sport’s focus from genuine competition to entertainment value.
Having last competed — and won — an Xfinity race at Darlington in 2023, Denny Hamlin’s most recent superspeedway start in the series dates back to 2012 at Daytona. Now, with retirement looming, he singled out the opportunity to race again at Daytona as his top priority, citing the unique intensity and larger runs there compared to Talladega.
Before I retire, I wanna do it. One more Xfinity race … I would probably want to do Daytona because the runs are a little bigger than what they are at Talladega,
he admitted, further reinforcing his commitment to ending his Xfinity superspeedway journey on a high note.
Hamlin’s request has stirred intense discussion within the NASCAR community, highlighting both the differences between divisions and the growing tension over the direction of superspeedway racing. Should Joe Gibbs Racing grant Denny Hamlin’s wish, fans may witness a seasoned veteran returning to a stage where skill and daring still make the difference, potentially delivering a dramatic moment that could spark further conversation about the future of NASCAR’s most unpredictable tracks.
