Denny Hamlin Unimpressed by NASCAR’s All-Star Race Plan for Dover

JGR veteran Denny Hamlin has shared his thoughts on the rumors of NASCAR potentially moving 2026 All-Star race to Dover.

Denny Hamlin Unimpressed by NASCAR’s All-Star Race Plan for Dover

Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart (Via IMAGO)

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Dover Motor Speedway is one of the best track Cup Series has to offer in the Next-Gen era, with both point paying races at the venue being entertaining, with solid attendance on the grandstands. Recently it was reported that NASCAR is looking host All-Star race at the track and JGR veteran Denny Hamlin has got some major concerns about it.

In the latest episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin addressed the rumors and shares his fear about the track losing it’s point paying races. It’s fan favorite venue, with significant attendance. Also having temporary lights as hosting the All-Star race there isn’t a good choice, as it isn’t a track that is capable of producing solid shortened races.

Surely, they can’t be talking about replacing Dover’s point race, right? … We had such a great fan turnout when it was 120 degrees, it was like being on the sun…Again, hopefully they’re not thinking this one all the way through because this is not the best choice. Dover is just not an All-Star type of racetrack.

Denny Hamlin said via Actions Detrimental.

Regardless of the generation of the car, the track only offer good chances of overtakes and duel, until 30 to 40 laps into the event. The All-Star race can’t afford to have dull racing for that many laps without proper passing, considering it’s a shortened race and the primary objective of the $1 million rewarding event is entertainment.

That track is one where it needs rubber on the racetrack to then widen out and then you can start making passes. But that doesn’t happen until 30 to 40 laps into a run, and the All-Star Race is made up of short runs. There’s just not going to be any passing…

Denny Hamlin added.

Then the 23XI Racing veteran shared his true feelings about the venue and admitted that the sport should drop the idea of the All-Star race. Instead, they should give the weekend of for the teams, giving them a small breathing space in the midst of the season long grind. It’s solid suggestion, considering the Cup season has just a one mid-week break.

Why don’t we just give the damn teams a week off? Like, they are running us through the grinder. It is a grind trying to get to the racetrack every single weekend. Definitely would enjoy another break, and I just don’t see the need of trying to force this.

Denny Hamlin requested.

Denny Hamlin has another big issue with the track

One of the major topics of discussion in the community is the possibility that Dover is going to lose one point paying race, as NASCAR isn’t going to have three races a season in the same venue. Denny Hamlin isn’t fan of the change, as he prefers to see the All-Star race goes to other venues that needs it or fit the style of racing.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

I just hope there’s no way they could be going from two points races to none at Dover. The fan turnout’s been good there, I don’t know why you would do that. And then, you got to put in temporary lighting. Surely, we won’t run in the middle of the day in July. Who knows.

Denny Hamlin said.

The points made by the three times Daytona 500 driver seems to be on point, as North Wilkesboro would have been solid choice to continue as the All-Star race venue. If NASCAR has no plans to give the track a point paying race, replacing Dover, it would turn out to be a bad decision from the sanctioning body.

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