Denny Hamlin confesses he “has been horrendous” in Next-Gen Superspeedway races

Three times Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin has addressed the issues he has with racing in Superspeedways with the next-gen cars.

Denny Hamlin confesses he “has been horrendous” in Next-Gen Superspeedway races

Denny Hamlin (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP)

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin is one of the best Superspeedway racers in the garage, as he earned the title with solid wins over the years in his Toyota with three Daytona 500 being the highlight. But since the start of the Next-Gen era, it’s been tough for the No:11 Camry to lead races at tracks like Daytona and Talladega.

Ahead of the 2025 Daytona 500, Denny Hamlin shared his feelings about the discussions his form and confessed that he hasn’t been the best racer at Daytona like many claims he is. He highlighted that stats and pointed at how it took his 37 attempts at Daytona International Speedway to win three races and how many race wins he has missed out on.

I am saying a little bit of what I’ve already said, however y’all haven’t heard, is that they talk about my three wins, but I’ve ran here 40 times. I’m like three for 40, and yet they’re like, man, you’re so good at this track. I’m like, I’ve lost like 37 times. I mean, I’ve had so many…I’ve had so many chances to win.

Denny Hamlin said via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

He learning to race strong with the Superspeedways again and is learning more about the new style of racing. Hamlin them blatantly admitted that he has been horrendous in the Next-Gen era superspeedway races and his finishes were really bad so far.

But beyond that, you bring up a great point about, like, are you still learning? Yes, absolutely. And the stats don’t lie. It’s that in the next-gen era, it’s been horrendous. The finishes have been really, really bad.

Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin reveals his Superspeedway racing weakness in the Next-Gen era

Further talking about his form, Hamlin explained the reason end his poor streak of performance. He pointed out that the Next-Gen car demands more fuel saving, which makes him rethink the going all out strategy that made him successful over the years.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via newsminimalist.com)

I think it’s because of what I’ve been good at in the previous generation cars going all out, wide open. You know, when they start forming at the top, I’m going to the bottom. I want to keep this thing going. Let’s keep this… we want to go 100% all the time. And next-gen with fuel saving and all this stuff, like, that’s not my forte. And I’ve got to learn to be better at it.

Denny Hamlin said.

The comments from Denny Hamlin shows he understands the mistakes he is making at these tracks and is working hard to fix it. But he hasn’t yet found the right solution and is looking forward try the different approach he has been working for this Sunday’s race.