Jeff Gluck of The Athletic went on an explosive rant throughout Sunday’s “The Teardown” podcast, ripping NASCAR Cup Sequence groups for turning down the “Run What You Brung” guidelines bundle proposal for subsequent month’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Denny Hamlin promised he would go into element on Monday’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast as to why the groups rejected the proposal, and he didn’t disappoint.
It’s a cash factor, Hamlin stated. The 23XI Racing co-owner estimated that it will value groups $2 million to run the outlaw guidelines bundle. The winner of the All-Star Race earns a $1 million prize, that means the funding merely isn’t value it.
“I do know Jeff Gluck had an enormous rant final night time on ‘The Teardown’ concerning the groups speaking concerning the cash. However it’s a actuality,” Hamlin stated. “Everybody needs to have enjoyable and do all this stuff, however who’s going to pay for it? … We’re gonna destroy three vehicles to construct this automobile. Beneath the principles, it was like you need to use Subsequent Gen elements, however you are able to do no matter you need to them.
“So, we’re going to destroy each piece and a part of that automobile and make it lighter or one thing. Like, we’re going to switch it. Going to bend the chassis and do all forms of issues to this factor that can make it unlawful at another racetrack that we go to?”
NASCAR proposed the bundle to groups in an effort to assist repair the quick observe racing product. Within the Subsequent Gen period, efficiency at historic tracks equivalent to Martinsville and Bristol hasn’t been as much as customary. The fan in Hamlin welcomed the proposal; the automobile proprietor didn’t.
Hamlin claimed that every automobile of their 21-car fleet value $300,000. He added it wouldn’t make sense to tear up three vehicles that may’t be utilized in a race the place the principles are utilized.
Denny Hamlin: ‘The groups don’t find the money for’
“We’ve been very clear in the truth that this automobile value $300,000,” Hamlin stated. “Do the mathematics actual fast. If I put my three vehicles on the racetrack and simply to construct this wild, unlawful automobile, I’m going to destroy it and now I lose yet one more automobile out of my fleet. I solely get seven vehicles per door quantity. So, that’s three vehicles which are worn out of my fleet that I’m not going to get a substitute for as a result of I’m not going to get a substitute automobile if the automobile has injury to it if you happen to wreck it. You need to present NASCAR that it’s wrecked, bent or no matter and also you want one other chassis. I can’t afford to lose that out of my rotation.
“We used to have 14 vehicles, now we’re all the way down to seven. The entire cost-cutting factor was to shorten up what number of vehicles now we have in our steady. Are you able to ask for one more chassis? Positive, however I’m gonna spend $1 million simply on elements and items. We haven’t even developed something but. So, simply in elements and items to interchange all this sh*t we’re gonna modify, we’re gonna spend a sh*t ton of cash. And it solely pays $1 million to win. It’s paid $1 million to win for 30 years. It’s not that cool anymore. Even when one in every of my vehicles received, I don’t see this as even remotely breakeven proposition.”
In his rant, Gluck advised the groups to “cease crying concerning the freaking cash.” Hamlin stated it’s unattainable to not.
“For these like Jeff Gluck that complain about, ‘nicely, all you speak about is cash.’ It’s as a result of the groups don’t find the money for. That is what we’re preventing for. That is what we’ve been speaking about,” Denny Hamlin stated. “Should you proceed to lose cash 12 months after 12 months, why would you simply increase your hand and say, ‘certain, I’ll take one other $1 million loss.’ You’ll be able to’t try this. It’s not sustainable. It’s not potential beneath the parameters set in entrance of us and that was that do no matter you need.”
