Denny Hamlin analyzes the factors that contributed to the exciting races in Kansas.
NASCAR provided an exciting race in Kansas last Sunday, becoming one of the most memorable events of the 2024 season. The race featured an impressive 27 lead changes, several cautionary moments, and provided plenty of entertainment for dedicated fans who patiently endured a rain delay before the action began. The highlight of the race was an exciting victory achieved with a margin of just 0.001s.
Reflecting on the race, Denny Hamlin, who dominated the track with the most laps led on Sunday, expressed his admiration for the overall spectacle that was the AdventHealth 400. He especially highlighted the Kansas Speedway, along with the Bristol race, as one of the main events of the 2024 season. Hamlin also emphasized the significant role that tire wear played in determining the race’s outcome.
As a three-time Daytona 500 champion, Hamlin is advocating for NASCAR to prioritize providing a consistent set of tires for upcoming races. He firmly believes that with the proper tire selection, Next-Gen cars can effectively overcome their limitations, especially on oval tracks and short circuits, which have long been topics of discussion within the automotive community.
Before the event at Kansas Speedway, it was Atlanta that caught attention with an exciting photo finish involving Hamlin, [Driver A], and [Driver B]. Hamlin, reflecting on the finish, acknowledged that while the conclusion of the race in Atlanta was thrilling, the overall quality of the race itself did not meet the standards set in Kansas.
The issue of tire wear is something that NASCAR must address going forward in order to enhance the quality of races and create situations similar to the one witnessed in Kansas. Achieving the ideal balance with tire selection would undoubtedly lead Hamlin to proclaim each weekend as an extraordinary racing experience.