Denny Hamlin, the experienced driver and 23XI Racing co-owner, has voiced his intense opposition to NASCAR’s new All-Star Race proposal, which is set for 2025. Speaking before the Texas weekend, Hamlin described the plan as “financially senseless” for teams, highlighting widespread distress among owners about the anticipated costs. Even as NASCAR attempts to introduce innovation and excitement, Hamlin remains adamant that the required spending, estimated by his team at around $2 million, would impose a heavy and unnecessary burden.
The proposed format, pitched as a one-off experiment at North Wilkesboro Speedway, would let teams modify certain parts of their cars—including ride heights, diffusers, strakes, and spoilers—though it maintains a single-source supply for parts and strictly prohibits any chassis changes. NASCAR’s intention is to challenge the status quo of the short-track format and add a fresh, unpredictable element to the event. However, Hamlin swiftly rejected the defense from NASCAR communications head Mike Forde, insisting he had not exaggerated the projected expenses—and instead, he doubled down, stating that the proposal made little business sense.
According to Denny Hamlin, the problem lies in the loopholes that could emerge when teams work within the vague boundaries of what is technically permitted. He explained that even with certain components being checked by officials, the real financial strain would come from race shops’ research and development operations, all scrambling for innovations that might bring only a slight competitive edge. Hamlin referenced an internal NASCAR document, outlining a list of permissible modifications, and argued that while these appeared modest, the unclear guardrails would leave the door open for excessive R&D spending.
Echoing the concerns of respected figures like Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Chad Knaus and Team Penske competition director Travis Geisler, Denny Hamlin stressed that the cost implications had been flagged early on in discussions with NASCAR officials. Both Knaus and Geisler warned that introducing such technical changes for an exhibition race risked forcing teams into spending large sums for just a single event.
For Hamlin, the idea of investing in custom components that would be used only once, and then discarded, is fundamentally flawed. He told reporters that this “wastefulness” stands in stark contrast to the broader NASCAR Cup Series ecosystem, where costs are typically justified by lasting competitive value. Hamlin’s outlook is particularly grim when considering the $1 million purse at North Wilkesboro. He acknowledged that participation in the spending spree would be voluntary, yet stressed that the new rules might even dull competition by making the race less accessible to teams who refuse the extra investment.
Denny Hamlin further warned against making the All-Star Race a points-paying event, stating that this change would not address the real underlying issues with NASCAR’s short-track program. He insisted that simply boosting the event’s importance would not fix a system hampered by unclear rules and escalating costs, further straining already worried team owners.
The opposition from Denny Hamlin points to a deeper philosophical divide within NASCAR. While league officials hope to energize the All-Star Race with new technical freedoms, team leaders like Hamlin remain wary of rising expenses and unanticipated pitfalls. The next steps for NASCAR and race teams are uncertain, and the intensity of Hamlin’s critique makes it clear that serious changes or compromises will need to be considered before the 2025 event becomes reality. For now, Hamlin’s somber message stands as a stark warning about the risks of pursuing innovation at any cost, and the tension throughout the garage is unlikely to dissipate soon.
