Denny Hamlin has made really clear how he feels about the new ‘open exemption provisional’ rule NASCAR unveiled this year to guarantee a starting spot into any race for a ‘world class driver.’
During a press conference ahead of the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium that weekend, Hamlin said it ‘reeks of desperation’ and that he didn’t like it. He doubled down on that sentiment on Monday during the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast.
Hamlin said there was some push back to his take in the public discourse but that being authentic and honest is important.
“You heard my opinion on this in the media center and I actually got a lot of flak from Larry McReynolds with this on Sirius. I think he was fair with me,” Hamlin said. “I’m doing what I’m supposed to do and that is I get asked a question from a reporter, what is your opinion of this? And so, at that point, I have to decide and it’s the same thing that we’re doing in here. I get paid to come in here and give my opinion on certain topics. You don’t have to agree with them, but I guarantee you you’re going to get my authentic truth. And it’s mine authentic truth, it doesn’t mean it’s right or wrong, but it’s what I’m being told to do and what our NASCAR fans have asked NASCAR drivers to do.
“Be authentic, show yourself, give your opinion, we want to know. Larry was getting mad at me for going in there — what did you want me to do then? Just sit there and say, ‘Nah, didn’t like it.’ They’re going to say, ‘Why, what about it don’t you like?’ Then what do I do? Do I just make up something so it sounds better? No, I’m going to give you my true and authentic opinion and then it’s up for you guys to debate whether that’s right or wrong. I hope fans and other media members understand I’m just doing my job and being authentic to myself when I give opinions on certain things.”
So then, he doubled down on that take, pointing out what he believed was a series of bad precedents that it sets.
“My opinion on this was that it was desperate. I didn’t like it,” Hamlin said. “Just thought that you’re really doing everything you can to try to get a headline. And I still believe it to be true. NASCAR is the highest form of motorsports in the U.S., so why can’t we act like the big boys and say, ‘If you want to come over here and run with us, show me what you got. Go qualify in the race.’ It won’t be that hard and to me as a car owner, we just talked about these playoff scenarios in which things can happen. Things out of your control can happen.”
The provisional is already being used this weekend as four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves applied for an was granted it. He will start the Daytona 500 on Sunday no matter what happens in time trials on Wednesday or the qualifying races on Thursday.
If Castroneves doesn’t make the show through qualifying or the duel races, Castroneves would start the race as a 41st entrant who would not qualify for owner points or race earnings.
There is also the ambiguity that NASCAR hasn’t cleared up
“I was one David Starr brake rotor away from winning a championship in Phoenix one year, but that’s the breaks,” Hamlin said. “Now you’re just saying fucking Tom Cruise can go in there and just because he said he raced in Days of Thunder, can come in there and compete on Sunday with the big boys. I don’t agree with that. It’s just my opinion on it.”
With that said, Hamlin is rooting for Castroneves to have a good time and competitive showing.
“After the duel, you think Castroneves is going to be jumping for joy? No, he will not be, he knows he’s in the race,” Hamlin said. “… This is not an indictment on him whatsoever. I hate that he’s getting the brunt of this because he had no role in this whatsoever. I love him and his attitude. Hope some of his avid fans come watch the Daytona 500 because you wouldn’t have otherwise.
“That’s what this is trying to do is maybe you get some new eyeballs to follow this person and tune in to see how they do and maybe you can keep them latched on for a longer period. That’s what this is aimed to do. And I understand that. I just think you put a crack in the Dam of Legitimacy. I believe it does.”
