By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Following NASCAR’s adjustments to Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying, the question of balancing competition and entertainment was lifted high over the heads of the sport in the weeks that followed Auto Club Speedway.
For Denny Hamlin, a recent shift has been put in place that has turned the sport toward the television audience more than integral fairness for the competitors.
“It seems like there has been a shift to entertainment-style racing and qualifying over the last year or so,” Hamlin said Friday at Texas Motor Speedway. “Everyone is trying to do the right thing. I certainly believe the NASCAR executives we have now in place — there is more confidence in them than what there’s ever been since I’ve been here.
“All the way from the top with Jim [France, CEO & Chairman of NASCAR], Steve Phelps [president], Steve O’Donnell [NASCAR Executive Vice President & Chief Racing Development Officer]. The whole group is doing a good job.”
Along with qualifying, the 2020 schedule was released over the week, putting added emphasis on freshness and exciting race dates throughout the year. The changes include the first night race at Martinsville, first playoff race at Bristol and the regular-season finale being moved from Indianapolis to Daytona.
“I think certainly Daytona is a good [change],” he said. “That race is always wild and a crash fest anyways, so I think this will add to that excitement and truly you could find someone that is off the radar winning that race and putting their place in the playoffs. From an excitement standpoint it’s definitely a good move.”
Though the Joe Gibbs Racing driver was happy with the new schedule for next year, changes like qualifying and the 2019 aero package keep Hamlin wanting more competition-based changes for the Cup Series.
“It’s not always about what we want,” he admitted. “But keeping the integrity, making sure the right cars are winning poles and the right cars are winning races — that should be on the forefront. They also have to put on a product that’s exciting for the fans to see on TV.
“It is a balance. I don’t know the right balance to that. From a competitor’s standpoint, we want it to be where [if] we are better than the person in front of us, we should be able to pass them.”