Denny Hamlin is never one to stay silent, and once again, he’s speaking out on NASCAR’s latest rule change. The Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) has become a hot topic in the NASCAR world, and Hamlin has been vocal about his disapproval. Recently, he criticized the rule, calling it a sign of “desperation.” However, he’s not stopping there—this time, he’s laying out a stronger case against it.
Hamlin has often found himself at odds with NASCAR, and he’s not alone. Many drivers have voiced concerns about the OEP, which guarantees entry to select non-NASCAR drivers in an effort to boost the sport’s visibility. While this might make sense for the Daytona 500, questions remain about how it will impact regular races and special events. Hamlin believes this rule hurts NASCAR’s integrity, as top drivers could be denied a spot while outsiders are given a free pass.
Speaking on NASCAR on FOX, Hamlin explained, “You should have to earn your way in, especially when multi-time champions of our sport are not locked in, but someone from another series gets a guaranteed spot. I’m not sure that’s fair.” His concerns aren’t hypothetical—Helio Castroneves has secured a place in the Daytona 500 via the OEP, while Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. could miss out if they fail to qualify traditionally. This raises the question: Should non-NASCAR drivers take priority over veterans?
Hamlin isn’t the only one speaking out. Kevin Harvick has also criticized NASCAR, saying they are neglecting their own drivers. Meanwhile, Jeff Gordon has questioned the criteria for selecting “world-class” drivers, arguing that the process lacks transparency.
However, not everyone is against the OEP. In a surprising twist, Kyle Busch—who has never shied away from calling out NASCAR—supports the rule. Busch suggested that elite drivers like Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton could make for exciting additions to NASCAR. He called the idea “cool” but acknowledged that convincing such drivers to join would be another challenge.
The debate over the OEP is far from over. While some see it as an opportunity to attract new fans, others believe it undermines the sport’s core values. With Castroneves set to race in the Daytona 500, this rule is already shaping NASCAR’s future—but at what cost?
