When NASCAR arrives at Richmond Raceway, fans can always expect a spectacle filled with drama, thrilling moments, and intense excitement. The latest race was no exception, delivering all of that and more. Austin Dillon emerged as the victor, but not before creating a stir with a bold move that will be talked about for years to come. In a decisive moment, Dillon deliberately wrecked race leaders Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin, who were both vying for the lead in a last-ditch effort. This race will be remembered not only for Dillon’s triumph but also for the dramatic, unforgettable moments that unfolded on the track.
However, Richmond Raceway will see fewer of these iconic moments in the future, as it has lost one of its dates in the 2025 NASCAR schedule. This decision has left many Richmond natives deeply disappointed, perhaps none more so than NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin, who has long enjoyed the home advantage of racing there twice a season.
Denny Hamlin has always emphasized the importance of Richmond Raceway, and for good reason. NASCAR is expanding internationally, adding a new race in Mexico City, which will be its first points event there on June 15th. To accommodate this new addition, Richmond will now host only one race, scheduled for August 16th, as the penultimate event of the 2025 regular season. This change is surprising given Richmond’s long-standing tradition of hosting two Cup Series races annually since 1959, with the exception of 2020 due to scheduling conflicts.
Despite the reduction in races, NASCAR acknowledges the significance of Richmond Raceway within the series. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President, reaffirmed this by stating, “We’re still committed to Richmond. It’s an important track, an important market, certainly, as we think about where our NASCAR fans are today. We’ve seen some exciting storylines certainly come out of that track over the past few years and [we’re] excited to continue to be there next year.”
Denny Hamlin’s disappointment, however, goes beyond the loss of a race date. His entire family has a deep connection to Richmond Raceway. In an interview with Frontstretch, Hamlin expressed his frustration, saying, “It’s a bummer. It’s an absolute bummer for sure. But if you don’t show up, these things happen. My family’s been a season ticket holder at Richmond for nearly forty years now.”
Hamlin also touched on a broader issue—the declining popularity of live race attendance. For someone who grew up in an era when tracks were packed with fans, this trend is particularly troubling. “We used to barely find a seat to turn 2, and now it’s just got squished and reduced. The world is different now. There is just so much competition and content that you are chasing eyeballs that are glued to their phones, so it’s hard to get them to a racetrack,” Hamlin noted.
Hamlin’s connection to Richmond Raceway is deeply personal. As a native of Chesterfield, Virginia, he grew up attending races at the track and later realized his dream of competing there. His familiarity with Richmond Raceway comes from not only his 13 seasons of racing there twice a year in the NASCAR Cup Series but also from countless visits as a spectator. This intimate knowledge of the track has given Hamlin a unique advantage over other drivers, and his success at Richmond is a testament to that.
Hamlin has certainly made the most of his home-track advantage. Who can forget the first Richmond race of this year? In that race, Hamlin secured his 53rd career NASCAR Cup Series win at his home track, edging out Joey Logano by a mere 0.269-second margin. It was his second victory of the season and his fifth at the three-quarter-mile oval. Even in the second race of 2024, Hamlin was closing in on the checkered flag, but Dillon’s aggressive move ultimately relegated him to a second-place finish.
After the 2024 Federated Auto Parts 400, Hamlin expressed a mix of disappointment and acceptance regarding the race’s outcome. “I believe that hard racing is still OK,” Hamlin said. “I think if two cars are battling side-by-side and one of them hits the wall because of close racing, that is going to be deemed OK. But if you come from a long way back and you were not going to win the race until you decided to wreck someone, I think that is a clear line in the sand. Sometimes balls and strikes aren’t totally clear, but it is up to us to make the decision… If NASCAR polices it and intentional wrecks for the win going forward, there are going to be some close calls, but you put yourself in that spot, so you are going to live with the result and the ruling on it.”
Hamlin’s track record at Richmond is nothing short of stellar. His first win at the track came in September 2009, and in his 36 appearances there, he has amassed five victories. His consistency is remarkable, with 20 top-five finishes and 24 top-10 finishes. In his last five races at Richmond, Hamlin has finished 4th, 20th, 2nd, 1st, and 2nd, respectively, with the most recent finish being another close second.
Having two opportunities each season to compete at a track where he has consistently dominated is something Hamlin will undoubtedly miss. The reduction in races at Richmond is a significant change, especially for a driver who has built such a strong legacy there.
What do you think about Richmond losing a race date? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Bummed Out’ Denny Hamlin Breaks Silence on Richmond Raceway’s NASCAR Doom
