Denny Hamlin Exposes Why Fans Would Be Apprehensive About NASCAR Going Electric

Denny Hamlin reveals how fans would react if NASCAR decides to go the fully electric route in the coming years.

Denny Hamlin Exposes Why Fans Would Be Apprehensive About NASCAR Going Electric

Denny Hamlin (via Imagn)

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NASCAR’s Next-Gen regulations for the cars have remained a hot topic for many people in the paddock. Though the governing body believes that the current regulations make racing more exciting, many teams and drivers feel otherwise.

Moreover, with the growing trends, the pinnacle of stock racing might shift towards electrical or hybrid power units. Upon this, NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin has weighed in and talked against the motion of the status quo.

Amid the 2024 season, NASCAR had revealed its ambitions to potentially move to electric cars, especially after unveiling a prototype in the same year. The change, although positive for the environment, wasn’t met with much warmth from the fans and the drivers. After all, NASCAR is the true testament of stock racing, and loud roaring engines are nothing short of an identity for the sport.

Hence, Denny Hamlin, who has seen NASCAR evolve for over two decades now, has opened up on the potential shift to electric cars. The 45-year-old insisted that the fans would be apprehensive about embracing the sport moving to electrical or hybrid power units. He continued that the fans had been watching the sport closely for a very long time, even the relatively newer fans.

Apart from this, fans wouldn’t be the only ones upset with the electrification of NASCAR cars. Denny Hamlin truly believes that even the drivers racing at extreme speeds would not enjoy the humming of electrical power units.

Certainly, NASCAR has enough on its plate right now, and introducing electric cars isn’t going to fix any issues. Rather, it will only add to the factors that the old fans dislike about the sport and its growing trend.

I think the NASCAR fans will be very apprehensive to embrace that. I think that NASCAR fans are the ones that have been around for a very long time, and even the new ones. And I think even consumers themselves in street cars like to hear sound 100%.

Denny Hamlin said on the Digital Social Hour podcast.

Denny Hamlin raises doubts over electric engines producing 1000 HP

In recent years, NASCAR has also faced criticism for underpowering the cars on various racing venues, ultimately making overtaking difficult on track. Though the sport is looking at options to increase the horsepower to over 650 in select races, they have yet to make the cars reach their full potential.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via @JoeGibbsRacing/X)

Now, with an electric engine, Denny Hamlin points out that they wouldn’t be capable of producing such high outputs for extended amounts of time.

Denny Hamlin raised doubts about the fact that electric engines wouldn’t be able to produce 1000 horsepower for long periods of time. A typical NASCAR race can last over three hours at least, and electric engines can never have enough battery to run for so long without needing to be charged. As such, full electrification of the sport is certainly not going to be possible anytime soon.

Can you make a [electric] car make [an] ample amount of energy, you know, 1,000 horsepower for 3 and 1/2 hours? I don’t think so.

Denny Hamlin noted

However, NASCAR can look into its options to develop a hybrid power unit for the cars. The likes of Formula 1 have already adapted to such engines, and the cars are only increasing in power with a blend of electric and mechanical engines.

Hence, time will tell about how the pinnacle of motorsport evolves in the coming years. Regardless of the changes planned, the sport will definitely need to pay attention to the fans’ and drivers’ feedback, as they are the true promoters after all.

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