Denny Hamlin criticizes NASCAR decisions after a dramatic incident in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International, raising questions about how the sanctioning body handles on-track controversies and the direction of its top series. Hamlin’s comments, delivered with evident frustration and concern, follow Austin Hill’s late-race clash with Michael McDowell, which led to fallout and rekindled debate over NASCAR’s modern rulemaking and leadership.
Austin Hill and Michael McDowell Collide in Closing Laps
With just nine laps remaining in the final segment of the 82-lap event at Watkins Glen, Austin Hill battled former Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell for second place. As the pair approached a corner along the wall, Hill tracked closely behind McDowell before his car made contact with the rear of McDowell’s vehicle. That impact sent McDowell’s No. 11 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet spinning into the wall and rebounding onto the racing surface, resulting in a multi-car incident that affected several other drivers on the grid.
The incident raised questions about Hill’s intention and whether he could have avoided the contact by lifting off the throttle before it was too late. The debate intensified, with some observers wondering if the move warranted penalty or further scrutiny from officials.
Denny Hamlin Shares His Unfiltered View on Hill-McDowell Crash
Addressing the incident on his Actions Detrimental Podcast, Denny Hamlin openly assessed Hill’s responsibility and how the episode unfolded for everyone involved. Offering his frank opinion, Hamlin said,
“He could’ve lifted. He probably should have lifted. But he didn’t. He’s just not going to get the benefit of the doubt from the general public.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Hamlin continued, emphasizing the difficulty of communication on that part of the circuit,
“Here’s what he didn’t take into account,” Denny Hamlin further explained. “That a part of the racetrack where the spotters have no idea where you’re at. Thinking that Michael McDowell is going to know that you’re there, at that portion of the track, there’s no chance.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series driver
The aftermath left McDowell shuffled down the order to finish 25th. Hill, meanwhile, managed to recover a spot inside the top five. For McDowell, the impact was limited as he is not a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series competitor, instead focusing on the Cup Series with his usual No. 71 ride for Spire Motorsports.
Hamlin Intensifies Criticism Over NextGen Car Rule Changes
Hamlin, affiliated with Joe Gibbs Racing, has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with NASCAR‘s handling of its NextGen car regulations since the model’s introduction in 2022. In his view, ongoing changes, particularly related to reduced horsepower, have sent the sport in the wrong direction and curbed excitement for those behind the wheel. The Tampa native, part of a vocal group of Cup Series competitors, continues to push for more powerful engines and a return to what he sees as better racing.
Reiterating his stance on the decision-making hierarchy within NASCAR, Hamlin remarked,
“We’ve just steadily progressed our way back and back and back and back and taken horsepower away more and more and more. These are decisions that get made from beyond our offices. These are 10th-floor decisions, and let’s just say us drivers are on the third floor.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series driver
He further highlighted what he views as chronic mismanagement at high levels,
“I hate to say no business is immune to bad decisions. I think the NASCAR business has made some horrible decisions over the last given amount of time. Eventually, it catches up,” he added.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series driver
What Lies Ahead for Hamlin and NASCAR’s Cup Field
Hamlin’s scathing remarks come ahead of the Cook Out 400, the next race on the Cup Series calendar, set to take place at Richmond Raceway. Scheduled for Saturday, August 16, the 400-lap contest will be broadcast on USA Network and receive live updates via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The coming event may provide an opportunity for Hamlin and other drivers to demonstrate their skills while racing under rules and regulations many, including Hamlin, continue to scrutinize.
The on-track drama at Watkins Glen, combined with Hamlin’s urgent call for changes at the leadership and engineering levels, places NASCAR in the spotlight. As conversations around Austin Hill, Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports, and the NextGen platform continue, the sport faces questions about how to maintain fair competition and satisfy both its competitors and fan base. The outcome of future events and potential responses from NASCAR leadership will be closely watched throughout the remainder of the season.
