In 2000, NASCAR fans witnessed one of the most legendary comebacks in Talladega history. Dale Earnhardt Sr., starting outside the top 10 and later running 18th with just four laps to go, executed a stunning charge to victory. This unforgettable performance further cemented the Earnhardt family’s dominance on superspeedways. However, when Denny Hamlin recently made a bold statement about their drafting skills, it didn’t sit well with fans.
Hamlin’s remarks ignited backlash, with Earnhardt supporters flooding social media to defend Dale Sr.’s reputation as a drafting master. But as the criticism mounted, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver sought to clarify his stance.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were known for their superspeedway expertise. Dale Sr. claimed 13 of his 76 Cup Series wins on such tracks, while Junior secured 10 of his 26 victories under similar conditions. Despite this, Hamlin took a risk during a recent episode of Actions Detrimental, stating, “Dale Jr. and Dale Earnhardt would have never survived in today’s superspeedway racing.” This comment quickly stirred controversy, with Hamlin critics seizing the opportunity to call him out.
However, Hamlin was referring to the evolution of superspeedway racing. Today’s approach prioritizes fuel conservation in the early stages, followed by momentum-killing aerodynamics when drivers finally push for position. This differs greatly from the aggressive, free-flowing drafting that Earnhardt Sr. and Jr. mastered.
Realizing the backlash, Hamlin clarified his statement on X: “I’m basically saying they would HATE today’s style of drafting and would not be as successful as they were.” He pointed out how manufacturers now dictate drafting alliances, preventing drivers from working with competitors like in the past. A prime example was Parker Retzlaff facing criticism for helping a Ford driver instead of a fellow Chevrolet racer. Additionally, the banning of tandem drafting—especially after Kyle Larson’s airborne crash in 2014—further changed the dynamic.
Not all fans misinterpreted Hamlin’s comments. One user slammed Hamlin for supposedly forgetting that Dale Jr. often worked with Tony Stewart, who wasn’t a Chevy driver at the time. However, another fan defended Hamlin, explaining that his point was about how today’s NASCAR no longer allows such flexibility. Hamlin responded, “Exactly.”
Interestingly, Dale Jr. recently critiqued Hamlin’s own racing at the Cook Out Clash. The Bowman Gray event saw Chase Elliott, Hamlin, and Ryan Blaney battle for the lead. While Hamlin opted for clean racing, Junior was disappointed, saying fans expected a more aggressive approach. Despite their differences, both drivers openly discussed each other’s styles, but Hamlin’s Earnhardt remark sparked the biggest debate.
