Denny Hamlin, a staple of Joe Gibbs Racing and one of the most accomplished Superspeedway drivers of his era, is making a passionate appeal for a shot at an Xfinity Series superspeedway race before he steps away from full-time competition. Speaking recently on his podcast, Hamlin urged his longtime team,
Joe Gibbs Racing if you’re hearing this — sign me up for a Xfinity superspeedway race,
highlighting both his desire and urgency as his career moves closer to its twilight years.
Having clinched three Daytona 500 victories, Denny Hamlin is no stranger to the excitement and drama that these high-speed tracks deliver. However, since the introduction of NASCAR’s Next-Gen car, Hamlin has struggled to find the same level of success or enjoyment on these superspeedways, citing major changes in racing style as a critical factor. Unlike in previous years, he feels the current Cup Series races rely more on luck and less on the tactical prowess that once defined the sport for him.
The recent surge of compelling, action-packed superspeedway events in the Xfinity Series has reignited Hamlin’s enthusiasm, particularly because these races feature more driver control and less randomness. On his show, Hamlin explained,
That is how racing used to be. That is how good we used to have it and we just never knew it. Like, these cars are moving around, you can create runs… Tell me what was more compelling for you. The racing is so good. It’s so good and 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.
Denny Hamlin made it clear that if granted an Xfinity opportunity, he would prefer to compete at the iconic Daytona International Speedway, the same site where he has experienced career-defining moments. He does enjoy Talladega Superspeedway but stated that Daytona, with its opportunity for larger runs and thrilling races, is his top choice.
Xfinity, man, it just looks so fun. I wanna do it. 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.
With Hamlin’s proven record and unmatched loyalty to Joe Gibbs Racing, finding commercial support for an Xfinity Series entry is unlikely to be a challenge. Furthermore, Hamlin’s presence would not only boost the team’s chances at success but also provide invaluable guidance for TRD’s emerging talent and the rest of the Xfinity grid, who could greatly benefit from his experience.
Ultimately, the significance of Denny Hamlin’s request extends beyond personal ambition. His participation in an Xfinity superspeedway race would offer fans and competitors alike a chance to witness one of the sport’s greats return to a format he loves, potentially changing the trajectory of his farewell tour. If Joe Gibbs and his team choose to honor Hamlin’s plea, it could spark new enthusiasm for the Xfinity Series and deliver an unforgettable chapter to Hamlin’s storied career, reminding the racing world of the enduring passion that drives champions.
