Denny Hamlin raises the voice: Nascar’s future is at stake if the system does not change
In 2017, Denny Hamlin did not go to a podium to celebrate a victory, but to issue a warning. He did not talk about times for return or positions in the playoffs. He talked about money – specifically, about him. Hamlin caught everyone’s attention by stating that Nascar’s pilots were “very poorly paid.” He argued that, considering the strenuous calendar, the risks on the track and the constant trip, they deserved salaries comparable to those of the NFL or the NBA.
“I do not speak for me, I speak in the back of the grill. Those pilots play life just like me and should receive much more,” Hamlin said at the time. That criticism was only the beginning. Today, almost a decade later, Hamlin redoubles the bet: it is no longer just the salary, but the very future of sport.
đ¨ Hamlin launches a new warning: Nascar could lose its essence
On the eve of the Goodyear 400 in Darlington, Hamlin reflected on the deep changes in Nascar since its inception in Late Models races. His concern is clear: the current structure of the sport is closing the doors to future generations of talents.
“Today, the Xfinity Series is mainly composed of pilots paid. Without that money they contribute, that category would simply exist. That is reality, even if you don’t like to hear it,” Hamlin explained. His statement puts the finger on a sore that affects the development of motor racing: many pilots do not come by talent, but by sponsors.
This model has a domino effect. While the lower categories such as the Truck Series or Xfinity themselves face cuts in awards, opportunities for young people without economic support fades. According to Hamlin, this not only harms pilots, but threatens to empty the soul of sport.
đ The growth of cars tour: a ray of hope
Hamlin not only releases criticism. It also recognizes what is being done well. He praised the growth of Cars Tour, a series of late models bought by figures such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick, and is now transmitted by FS1. “I am really proud of how the series has grow. It is well organized and pays well. They are promoting basic motor racing as it should,” he said.
Since its acquisition in 2023 by a group of motoring legends, the Cars Tour has raised its awards and professionalized its management, showing that a sustainable model for emerging talents is possible.
đ¸ Joey Logano and the “Pay To Play” problem
Denny Hamlin is not the only one to raise his voice. Joey Logano, champion twice from the CUP Series, also criticized the current system. “They pay me to drive in the CUP. But I have to pay to run in Xfinity or Trucks,” Logano revealed. His testimony summarizes the problem: if not a champion can access these categories without paying, what left young people without resources?
The numbers confirm it. In 2025, the 500 Daytona Prize was $ 30.3 million. In comparison, the Xfinity Series offered only $ 3.76 million, and the Truck Series a little $ 1.26 million. This gap pushes the teams of lower level to depend almost exclusively on pilots that bring money. Such a situation expels the talent without a Nascar ecosystem wallet.
đ Hamlin present: keep winning, but think about tomorrow
Despite his concerns, Hamlin continues to demonstrate his track value. It comes from a dominant victory in Martinsville, where he led 274 laps, and aims to repeat success in Darlington, where he has already won four times. He classified third, behind Ryan Precece and William Byron, who looks a classic Jeff Gordon design for the Throwback Weekend.
With 55 victories in the Cup Series, three wins in Daytona 500 and a 600 Coca-Cola title, the only thing that Hamlin is missing is a championship. But beyond his personal aspirations, his gaze is set to leave a more fair legacy.
“It’s always good to question your trust. If you don’t do it, you never know if you gave everything you could,” Hamlin reflected. And that philosophy applies both on the track and outside it.
đ SEO conclusion:
Denny Hamlin’s criticism is not a simple relief. It is an urgent attention call on an economic model that is mining the opportunities for the next generation of Nascar stars. If the sport wants to survive and prosper, it needs to bet again on talent – not only for money.
