'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
One of the newest never-ending topics of debate in NASCAR has been the call for more power from the Next-Gen Cup Series car, and current driver and team owner Denny Hamlin has squashed any future debates on the topic. The 23XI Racing co-owner recently spoke about how the governing body plans on going about its improvement to the short track package of the seventh-generation Cup Series car.
With NASCAR aiming to focus solely on tire technology as well as improvements to racing facilities, Denny Hamlin confirmed how drivers and fans' calls for increased horsepower in the sport are nowhere near to being met. He elaborated on the topic on his podcast Actions Detrimental, saying:
"They (NASCAR) definitely said publicly last week, and they said it to us that horsepower is just not an option for various reasons. If we’re going to keep the horsepower, we should definitely in my opinion work on getting rid of the shifting."
Hamlin further elaborated on how tire technology will be worked on by NASCAR's official supplier Goodyear going forward:
“They’re going to really focus on tires and tracks. The biggest difference with Next Gen versus Gen 6 is that the loads are significantly lower than what they were. On the left sides is the big place where we really need to get the tire wear working a bit more. So, they’re going to try to get really aggressive at some tracks."
It remains to be seen how well NASCAR and Goodyear can adapt the tires to the Next Gen Cup Series car. A repeat of what happened earlier this season at Bristol Motor Speedway is not entirely off what fans expect of the sport in this day and age.
Denny Hamlin elaborates on his 2024 season so far
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin recently spoke about his performance during the ongoing 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. The Virginia native talked about how this year has been positive for the #11 crew at Coach Gibbs' racing outfit.
With two victories already to his name, Hamlin touched on how he could not seal his victory in Texas last weekend. Elaborating on his podcast, Actions Detrimental, he said:
"This is a really fun year for me so far because every week I know I'm on of the top three guys on speed. Two weeks in a row of not getting the finish we deserved, this one's (Texas finish) on me for sure. In hindsight, yeah I should've took second but I want to win."
It remains to be seen how Denny Hamlin performs during this weekend's 2024 GEICO 500, which goes live on Sunday at 3:00 pm ET.
