Denny Hamlin criticizes NASCAR, says Tom Cruise could compete now

Denny Hamlin, known as a fierce critic of the changes that NASCAR officials want to introduce, reacted just as furiously this time. An experienced face of this sport, and a man with many seasons behind him, this time raised his voice against the NASCAR exemption provisional rule. 

The competitor and team owner expressed his frustrations during the 'Actions Detrimental' podcast, labeling it as a desperate move by NASCAR. This brand wants to make a few changes, believing that they are on the right track to bring fans of this sport back to the small screens and to the big races. Still, Hamlin and his colleagues are disappointed, believing that individuals should qualify for major races.

“My opinion on this was that it was desperate. I didn’t like it,” Hamlin said, as quoted by On3. 

“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 wanna 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."

What can we expect?

It is expected that famous faces of motorsport, especially F1, will have the chance to compete in NASCAR. This is not quite universally accepted among fans, although it must be admitted that the idea is creative and that it could increase the rating of this motorsport outside the borders of the US. It is known that Europe does not follow NASCAR as much as they follow Formula 1. 

However, the leaders of NASCAR want the trends to change, but also to increase the excitement factor and arouse interest in the US as well. Hamlin is closed to these things, emphasizing that by applying this rule, any individual could compete with the best drivers.

“I was one David Starr brake rotor away from winning a championship in Phoenix one year, but that’s the breaks. … Now you’re just saying ******* 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."- he concluded.