Denny Hamlin has issued a stinging critique of NASCAR’s communication strategy, expressing frustration with how officials address drivers’ concerns. Speaking out shortly after the recent Talladega superspeedway race, Hamlin, a 56-race Cup Series winner and 23XI Racing co-owner, voiced his views publicly, underscoring growing tensions between drivers and the sport’s leadership. His criticisms were particularly pointed towards NASCAR’s vice president of competition, Elton Sawyer, and the organization’s recurring defensive appearances on radio broadcasts.
Hamlin’s remarks center around NASCAR’s strategy of going on air to defend their decisions, which he argued undermines credibility with both fans and drivers. On his Actions Detrimental podcast this week, Denny Hamlin claimed,
“When you had Elton go on last week talking about Superspeedway racing and say, ‘I don’t understand. What do we have to fix?’… I think you lose some credibility with the fans. I think the fans have a low morale right now due to their lack of faith in the competition leadership.”
His criticism was not limited to a single event but extended over several years of dissatisfaction concerning superspeedway racing rules and the perceived dismissal of repeated driver complaints. Hamlin lamented that, despite transparency in communication, the method by which NASCAR explains its positions often results in officials “brushing off” drivers’ valid concerns.
“When you go in there and you kind of brush off what every driver said and has said for quite some time with the superspeedway package… I’ve said we’ve got a superspeedway problem and we’ve kept ignoring it. I just think that NASCAR created its own stats to make itself look good,”
Hamlin stated.
Although Denny Hamlin admitted some understanding of the challenges NASCAR faces regarding openness, he suggested they reconsider weekly radio appearances altogether, asserting that credibility with fans and drivers may suffer further if officials continue to deflect critical feedback. The underlying result, according to Hamlin, is eroded trust and growing unease among fans, who increasingly question the decision-making of those in charge.
These comments have sparked debate throughout the racing community, magnifying concerns over how NASCAR communicates with both its athletes and its audience. As Denny Hamlin continues to press for change, the pressure mounts on NASCAR to rethink its strategy to repair credibility, rebuild trust, and address the underlying issues that have driven frustrations to the forefront. The spotlight now lingers on the league’s next moves, with many closely watching for signs of genuine reform or further contention between leadership and competitors.
