In the wake of the Daytona 500, Denny Hamlin sparked discussion about the future of the preseason NASCAR Clash event, suggesting that changes could soon bring the race to Daytona International Speedway. His pointed remarks come amid wider concern over the current state of fuel-saving strategies with Next Gen cars on superspeedways—a challenge that has frustrated both drivers and fans looking for more dynamic competition.
With the Denny Hamlin Daytona Clash conversation gaining traction, the main issue centers around the excessive drag of the Next Gen car, which makes overtaking on high-speed tracks like Daytona notably difficult. As a result, drivers often rely on pit strategy and fuel mileage rather than aggressive moves on the track, which has dulled the intensity of racing during certain phases. Recently, NASCAR officials indicated that simple alterations might not be enough to resolve the situation, fueling speculation about more dramatic changes ahead.
Hamlin Signals a Potential Clash Relocation
During a post-race media session, Hamlin suggested that moving The Clash to Daytona could serve as an innovative way to test solutions aimed at reducing monotonous fuel-saving on superspeedways.
“One of the suggestions is, you know, that we talked about just a few days ago is come here next year in The Clash,”
Hamlin said in a video shared by Steven Taranto.
“Let a few of us come up with a package that we think (works). You won’t see many fuel-saving, you’re just going to see people hanging on. That would be the only fix.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
According to Hamlin, the main culprit behind the prevalence of fuel-saving is the way Next Gen cars are set up aerodynamically, creating a situation in which leaving the draft can be fatal to a driver’s competitiveness. Drivers, far less likely to succeed by attempting passes on track, instead hunt for an advantage through shorter pit stops by carefully managing their fuel use. This strategy, while clever, can make for a less exciting spectacle, prompting a search for alternatives.
What a Daytona Clash Could Change
Hamlin elaborated on what a Daytona version of The Clash would require to make a meaningful difference in the racing product.
“There’s a way. But we’re going to have to increase the speeds by a lot,”
he stated, emphasizing that altering the dynamics would force handling to become a more significant factor.
“You’re going to have to make it to where handling matters. That’s going to spread the field. That’s going to make it to where we’re not, you know, it’ll look a little more like racing from the past.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
This approach—testing new setups in a non-points event—would provide NASCAR and its teams with valuable data and a lower-stakes arena to evaluate the impact of revised racing packages. Hamlin also highlighted the safety aspect, noting that such changes would only proceed with approval from stakeholders.
“But as long as their insurance company’s OK with it, you’re going to have to speed up the cars. Because right now we’re so planted in the racetrack that we can just run in this really tight pack.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
Should NASCAR officials decide to use the preseason Clash as a testing ground at Daytona, it would allow everyone involved—drivers, teams, officials, and fans—to observe firsthand whether new technical packages could solve the fuel-saving conundrum. By increasing speeds and prioritizing driver skill in handling, such an experiment could bring back the unpredictable, spread-out racing that many remember from previous eras.
Implications for Upcoming Seasons
With Hamlin’s remarks circulating among competitors, the Denny Hamlin Daytona Clash concept has ignited debate about the future of stock car racing’s marquee events. Adopting a more experimental approach at The Clash could set a precedent for proactive change, helping NASCAR respond to driver frustrations and fan demands for more thrilling on-track action. If officials act on this idea, Daytona could become a key testing ground for resolving one of the sport’s most stubborn issues and signal a willingness to evolve in search of better racing.
As the season moves forward, all eyes will be on NASCAR’s decision-makers to see if Hamlin’s vision—supported by candid commentary from one of the sport’s top drivers—ushers in a new era for The Clash and potentially, the Daytona 500 itself.
Daytona 500 winning crew chief Billy Scott when asked if there's a way to fix mass fuel saving on superspeedways: "I doubt there's a fix to it, because we're just gonna figure out the next way to exploit it. … It'd be like asking you to change how chess is played."
Denny… pic.twitter.com/Kd43EnAavH
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) February 16, 2026
