Denis Hamlin has not hesitated in the past and has openly spoke about driver concerns and NASCAR’s sometimes lackluster efforts to remedy it. Last year he was the perfect example of this when he raised safety concerns regarding the Next Gen car and the organization’s ineffectiveness in communicating about it with drivers.
This week on Twitter, Hamlin revealed that while there was improvement in those lines of communication, there was still a long way to go.
Denny Hamlin slammed NASCAR for lack of communication last year
Last summer, Denny Hamlin made no secret of his displeasure when he suggested that NASCAR was not providing enough safety information to drivers on the Next Gen car.
“Regarding the accidents, I asked two different people, NASCAR executives. I can’t seem to get an answer. That, to me, makes it even scarier,” Hamlin admitted bluntly. “Man, the current disconnect between all parties – NASCAR, the tracks and all the drivers – it’s tough right now. This is not a good place.
When asked if drivers should band together and form their own council, which previously existed, Hamlin didn’t have specific answers but offered his thoughts on next steps.
“In seven years I will only be a team owner, but these drivers have to organize themselves,” he said. “Their safety is in danger. They need to know what they’re getting into. They must therefore organize themselves and have a voice. They deserve a seat at the table, whatever that table is.
Interestingly, Hamlin had company. Kevin Harvick also spoke on the subject.
“As we sat through the driver meeting that NASCAR had with us (in May) to show us everything, I think the most frustrating part of the whole process is the fact that the element of driver safety and the conversation with the drivers, which was requested by the drivers, was achieved at the very end of everything,” Harvick said. “And when you look at that, I think the guys who drive the cars at least have enough respect for it. at least be part of the process of what’s happening. Everyone is just a little frustrated with how this has all been handled.
Denny Hamlin Joins Crew Chief Kevin Harvick in Calling NASCAR
This week, Kevin Harvick’s crew chief, Rodney Childers, who used social media in the past attracting public attention, like Denny Hamlin, did it again. This time, Childers indirectly called out NASCAR by responding to a tweet from Fox’s Bob Pockrass, which revealed a new requirement for rain flaps for Cup cars on rainy roads – the news crews apparently didn’t have any yet been informed.
“I’m so glad you sent all this so we can learn what we’re doing,” Childers responded to the reporter’s tweet.
“So true,” added Denny Hamlin, making it clear that there is still a communication gap between the governing body and the teams.
Member of the new Drivers Council
Even though Hamlin and probably all drivers are frustrated with NASCAR’s continued poor communication, they are at least now proactively trying to do something about it. The triple Winner of the Daytona 500 was part of an announcement last month regarding a new Driver Advisory Council, created to foster an open line of communication with NASCAR, track operators and industry stakeholders.
Hamlin will serve on the Council’s board of directors and will be joined by Cup champions Kurt Busch and Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Corey LaJoie, Daniel Suarez and Kyle Petty. NBC analyst and former driver Jeff Burton, nicknamed “The Mayor of NASCAR,” will serve as the group’s director.
Based on Joe Gibbs Racing driver Joe Gibbs Racing’s latest activity on Twitter, the Council has not met with NASCAR officials. The hope is that when all stakeholders finally come together, teams will no longer need suggestive tweets because the problems, whatever they may be, will at least be being resolved.
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