Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have different opinions on how to improve the racing product at the 0.75-mile Richmond Raceway. Since the creation of the seventh generation of “Next Gen” Cup Series cars, the Virginia short track has experienced a lack of on-track passing from drivers.
A problem that was also present last season, the 2023 season. Cook 400 was greeted by fans as “monotonous” and “boring” by NASCAR’s very high entertainment standards.
Although drivers were seen pushing themselves and strategy played a key role in the 400-mile race, position battles were quite limited.
One solution to this problem, dreamed up by driver-turned-analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr., was to drop resin on Richmond’s upper tracks. This would make it easier for cars to take the upper line.
Denny Hamlin, on the other hand, seems at odds with his peers. The driver of the No. 11 Toyota Camry TRD elaborated on the same thing in his podcast: Harmful actionsand say:
“Ew, it’s (just a band-aid), and now, you know, what happened was we’d all run on a train against the wall and no one would see us all day.”
Denny Hamlin believes that the application of resin, which significantly increases the grip of the tarmac, would only create another ideal line, which would then be followed by each driver.
Denny Hamlin explains how Chase Elliott can still qualify for the 2023 NASCAR playoffs
Despite a dismal regular season for Chase Elliott, Denis Hamlin has been a strong advocate for the Hendrick Motorsports driver and believes he can compete in the 2023 season. NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Elliott is 40 points out of playoff positions, with contenders such as Michael McDowell and Bubba Wallace occupying the final spots in the standings.
Explaining how the Hendrick Motorsports driver can still qualify, Hamlin explained on his podcast:
“Chase Elliott is going to get there, and he’s going to get there with points. Four weeks ago, Bubba Wallace was zero to the cut line. Now (after Richmond), he’s over 54 and where have been his results? Low teens… Chase Elliott is under 40 points with four races to go. You’re telling me he can’t earn forty points in four races?
It will be interesting to see if Denny Hamlin’s predictions come true as the 2023 playoffs get closer each weekend.
