Denny Hamlin slams NASCAR for removing scoring pylons from Talladega

Denny Hamlin has been critical of NASCAR's decisions in the past.

Denny Hamlin slams NASCAR for removing scoring pylons from Talladega

Denny Hamlin (Credits: Imago)

NASCAR is renowned for its controversial decisions and recently there has been a a lot of them coming from the sanctioning body. One such decision by the governing body was recently revealed as the it was decided to remove the scoring pylon at Talladega Speedway as it was outdated. This decision received criticism from drivers across the field and JGR’s Denny Hamlin was the most vocal.

Scoring pylons have been a part of NASCAR for ages. It has been a part of its tradition and has helped the teams and drivers to quickly decipher their current position in the pecking order. However, with time, such scoring pylons have become outdated but were kept following the age-old traditions of the series. Talladega is the second victim of this controversial decision as the last week’s race host Texas Motor Speedway saw the pylons removed as well.

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NASCAR reckoned that big screens at the circuits could substitute for the scoring pylons and people can look at the big screens to know about the pecking order. This infuriated Denny Hamlin as he thought the decision was taking away the essence of the sport. Furthermore, he claimed that instead of ripping away the pylons totally, NASCAR could have updated them and let the pylons convey the information.

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Well upgrade it then, like every other sporting facility in the world is doing. No-one is taking visual displays away.
Denny Hamlin said on X.

Denny Hamlin discarded any explanations for the change

Hamlin was angered enough by the decision to remove the pylons. However, when people started explaining to him the reasons behind the decision, the JGR driver slammed the door shut for any reason to substantiate the decision.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Credits: Sports Business Journal)

When Jordan Bianchi of the Athletic posted on X explaining to the 43-year-old that the equipment was outdated, and NASCAR wanted fans to utilize the NASCAR app on their smartphones to check the order. This led the No.11 driver to state the obvious and depict that fans would have to check their phones instead of indulging themselves in the racing spectacle and dismiss such reasons.

Yea, turn away from the track and look at your phone. Thats what we want you to do.
Denny Hamlin said on X

Despite Hamlin’s concerns, it doesn’t seem like that NASCAR would revert its decision. Moreover, it is anticipated that scoring pylons could be removed from the other circuits also and the essence of the NASCAR tracks could be lost with it.

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