Denny Hamlin declares the Open Exemption Provisional as ‘unfair’

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has given his verdict on the controversial OEP rule change that ignore NASCAR champions.

Denny Hamlin declares the Open Exemption Provisional as ‘unfair’

Denny Hamlin (Via newsminimalist.com)

NASCAR has made some significant rules changes going into the 2025 Cup season. One of the controversial changes was the new Open Exemption Provisional, which guarantees the elite racers from other motorsports series a spot in the race. Trackhouse Racing and Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves is set to use OEP at the 2025 Daytona 500.

Three times Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin gave his verdict on the new rules in his recent interview with Bob Pockarss on Fox Sports. He pointed out that the racer should earn their way into the race, if its speedway racing or road course events, as these will be the events with potential of having more than 40 entries.

I don’t necessarily think that if someone can’t make it on speed, and I know speedway racing is very unique, but even when we go to road course racing or wherever we might have more than 40 entries, you should definitely have to earn your way in.

Denny Hamlin told Bob Pockrass.

He pointed out that the system seems unfair considering the champion drivers from NASCAR can’t use the provisional but the racers from other series with no actual experience of stock car racing gets a free slot.

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Especially when you have some multi-tie champions of our sport not being locked in but someone with a resume from somewhere else having an opportunity to lock in. I’m not really sure that’s fair.

Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin shares his feelings about 25-race winless streak

Going into the 2025 season, one of the primary targets of Hamlin is to end his 25-race winless streak, as his formed stagnated in the second half of the season following a strong start. Talking about the drop in form, he admitted that they lacked raw speed towards the end of the season and couldn’t pull of victories when it counted the most.

Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart
Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart (Via IMAGO)

It’s been an eternity. It feels like years, but yeah. I mean, we started the year off so strong, so fast, and just the speed kind of tapered off as the year went on. And you know, we got a little bit more consistent, you know, with our finishes once the playoff started, but just didn’t have the raw speed that we had early in the season.

Denny Hamlin said.

The comments from Denny Hamlin shows he is really disappointed with how the 2024 ended for his team after starting as the championship favorite. It would be interesting to see how long it will take for the veteran to end the winless streak.