Denny Hamlin believes NASCAR has ‘diluted’ Clash, All-Star Race with more entries

Even though Denny Hamlin was the big winner at the Busch Light Clash, he believes that NASCAR has watered down its product. Hamlin has been in the Cup Series full-time since 2006, and has ideas about how the Clash and All-Star Race have changed in recent years.

On his newest episode of Actions Detrimental, Hamlin detailed the Clash weekend. From the rescheduled race to the actual event itself, the rivalries and drama, and of course, his victory.

Hamlin won the Clash and had fun doing it. However it feels like NASCAR has gone away from what made the Clash, and even the All-Star Race, compelling.

“Even over time, they keep – it got diluted, right?” Hamlin said. “We got a fan vote now, we’re going to invite the top two of Y-manufacturer. It just became diluted and over time – like the Clash itself used to be just pole winners. So when you win poles, I remember in 2006 it was a big deal to win a pole knowing that ‘BAM!’ I got my ticket to run the Clash.

“That’s how I won the Clash in 2006 in my rookie year is that I happened to win the pole at Phoenix (in 2005) in one of my tryout races for Joe Gibbs Racing’s Cup car. Just hit a lap, got on the pole and I knew I was full-time the following season but it was like ‘Oh s**t I’m in the Clash now,’ and ended up winning.

“Back then I think it was about 16, 18 cars per year made the Clash that was about the number of pole winners that you had. But then teams would gripe, well my sponsor’s not getting shown, and eventually, NASCAR went in a direction of, we’re just going to invite more, it’s more, more, more.”

Does Denny Hamlin have a point?

Denny Hamlin wants NASCAR to get more exclusive

The overarching idea in Denny’s point above, NASCAR has to exclude people. Not everyone gets a player on the All-Star roster in the NBA. You aren’t guaranteed a spot in the Pro Bowl just for being a starting quarterback.

NASCAR used to limit the Clash and All-Star Race. Over the years, new rules have been added to allow more teams into the events. This past weekend, NASCAR did limit the amount of cars on track for the Clash from 27 in 2023 to just 23 this year.

I think that there is a way for NASCAR to return to the old ways like Denny Hamlin said. They can also keep these two events fresh and new. Does it really hurt the product if for instance, pole winners and any playoff driver without a pole, get into the Clash? That would limit the entries, and make qualifying matter again.

Another thing people forget, Busch started the Clash as a way to incentivize drivers to go all-out in qualifying. It wasn’t just being in the race, it was the money! The purse was a big part of the draw. Now, the event pays about half of what a regular points-paying race pays.

So, what is the answer? I’m not sure. Clearly, there is a path forward to make The Clash a destination race and compelling. NASCAR wants to get creative, let them get creative. That doesn’t mean the gravity and importance of the race have to suffer.

Would NASCAR be better off mixing the old and the new?