Denny Hamlin suggests the perfect way to make the LA Clash better, giving RFK Racing’s failure as an example

Denny Hamlin’s teammate Martin Truex Jr. was the winner of the race, and Hamlin reignited his on-track rivalry with Ross Chastain on the day as well.

Denny Hamlin suggests the perfect way to make the LA Clash better, giving RFK Racing’s failure as an example

Denny Hamlin (Credits: @Joegibsracing/Twitter)

The 2023 LA Clash at the Colosseum gave fans updated entertainment and a disappointing race. The post and pre-race parties were superior to the Inaugural event, but the 0.25 miles racing wasn’t up to mark, the main reason being the traffic. Too many cars on the track produced 16 cautions, most of which were in the 2nd stage. In the 2022 edition, there were just 6 cautions.

The future of LA Clash is yet to be decided. NASCAR earlier pointed out that a return in the 2024 season will be decided based on the fan response. The drivers have already given their opinions, and most want the race to stay on the schedule but want an updated format. JGR veteran and 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin have given a perfect suggestion that could work in the future.

He suggested that NASCAR go back to the old format keeping the Clash exclusive to the pole winners, and stop inviting everyone. Hamlin said,  “I think you would have better racing at that track. Keep it the Clash, and stop inviting everyone to the party. If you win a pole, like you used to, you get to participate in the Clash. If you don’t, you don’t show up,”.

Hamlin points out RFK Rcaing’s poor performance and the financial loss they endured starting in the race. He said, “Like I guarantee you, so who had the worst weekend was RFK. They showed up again, didn’t make the race again. I don’t know what they made, maybe a couple bucks, and they spent a lot of time and effort out there,”.

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Denny Hamlin has quality arguments to back his claims

Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin
Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin (Credits: IMAGO)

The three times Daytona 500 winners said that the midfield and back of the pack in the Colosseum are awful due to the upfront action. He said,   “The field, it used to be in the Clash, 15-18 cars. I think that, it’s so logjammed up from midpack back because, the field, the accordioning happens way in the front. And then by the time it gets to the back, it’s just awful,”.

He took the example of clean qualifying races to back his case of a limited number of entries. Hamlin said,  “So, I think the fewer the cars, I mean we saw it in the heat races, the last chance qualifier. We didn’t have all this crazy, we had 10 cars in each. So, if you can spread us out, it might not provide the boxing type of entertainment, but I don’t know,”.

Hamlin’s suggestions are not foot-proof as if the event6 is made exclusive, it gives the drivers running in the event an edge over the non-competitors in terms of experience behind the wheels. It also puts a financial burden on both groups of teams in terms of sponsorship money and budget.  But it should be the cost NASCAR willing to pay to give fans a better race product.

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