In the past, NASCAR races at superspeedways were known as restrictor-plate races. Nowadays, they’re referred to as fuel-mileage races. The change in terminology reflects how the sport has evolved. Previously, speeds became so dangerously high that NASCAR had to impose restrictions to maintain safety. Now, with the introduction of the Next-Gen cars, racing on superspeedways has shifted towards managing fuel efficiency while maintaining parity among teams.
The 2024 season highlights the challenge of balancing competitiveness. Gone are the days when a top-tier car could easily overtake a slower one while lapping the field. With the Next-Gen cars, even the slower cars can give the leaders a hard time if the latter aren’t cautious. It’s difficult to imagine how past racing legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart would adapt to these new conditions, but according to Denny Hamlin, their old techniques may no longer be effective in today’s NASCAR Cup Series.
Denny Hamlin’s Take on the Decline of Superspeedway Racing
While short-track racing in 2024 has seen a decline, and road course races remain unpredictable as ever, superspeedway races have also faced their share of struggles. Every drafting race at these large tracks seems to follow a similar pattern: drivers fighting hard until the end of Stage 2, followed by chaos in the final laps as “the big ones” (massive wrecks) occur, leading to overtime finishes. The drama remains, but the structure has become predictable.
Looking ahead to the upcoming race at Talladega, Hamlin doesn’t expect any surprises. On his podcast, *Actions Detrimental* (September 30 episode), he predicted that drivers would be battling for stage points and the race win. However, Hamlin noted that strategy would be straightforward, with minimal variations. Some drivers may choose to pit for fuel during cautions to extend their mileage, while others will aim to maintain track position. Ultimately, he believes it will come down to a race where controlling the front of the pack is crucial.
But despite Hamlin’s experience, his recent Talladega results haven’t been great. His co-host, Jared Allen, pointed out his last five finishes at the track: 37th, 3rd, 17th, 5th, and 18th. Though Hamlin is known as a superspeedway specialist, particularly during his time with Joe Gibbs Racing in the Gen-6 cars, he’s struggled to perform in the Next-Gen era. Reflecting on this, Hamlin admitted that the techniques he learned from Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart are no longer effective. “All those strategies—how to pass, how to create momentum—are gone,” he said. Now, drivers are simply encouraged to stay in line and wait for opportunities.
For fans who grew up watching NASCAR’s thrilling superspeedway races, this shift is disheartening. However, Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, has adapted by emphasizing that it’s now all about strength in numbers. The key is to align with whichever lane has the most cars, as that’s the one that will move forward.
Unfortunately, Hamlin’s strategy didn’t work for him during his last race at Talladega. He crashed with just 40 laps remaining, while his 23XI Racing driver, Tyler Reddick, went on to win the race. While Hamlin’s own results have been inconsistent, his team’s success provided a small consolation. However, after finishing 8th in a recent race in Kansas, where he expected a better result, Hamlin’s frustration remains evident.
Hamlin is currently in 5th place in the Round of 12 standings, just 11 points ahead of the cut-off. In a race at Talladega, where anything can happen, those points could vanish quickly. With his track record at Talladega less than stellar, Hamlin is approaching the race with caution. After a difficult day in Kansas, plagued by pit crew issues, he admitted in a post-race interview that his mental state wasn’t where it should be. He said, “I’m not in it mentally, I can tell you that. There’s a lot of wires crossed and bolts loose at the moment. But what can you do? I’ll just do the best I can to drive the car and do my part.”
Despite his struggles, Hamlin cannot afford to lose focus. His drive for the championship in 2024 has a different intensity, a fact even Dale Earnhardt Jr. acknowledged on his podcast. To come so close to the title and fall short would be a bitter disappointment. Hamlin has already secured two consecutive top-10 finishes in the Playoffs, bouncing back from a tough race at Watkins Glen. With only two races left to advance to the Round of 8, he needs to pull out all the stops.
Time is running out for both Hamlin’s 2024 championship hopes and his racing career. If he wants to secure the Bill France Cup for his family, he needs to lock in now—because in NASCAR, second chances are rare.
“It’s Our era”: Denny Hamlin Tag Dale Jr & Tony Stewart’s Winning Tactics Ineffective in NASCAR’s Present Era
