Denny Hamlin Slams NASCAR’s ‘Desperate’ Move: ‘Don’t Know How Nice You Can Really Say It’

Prominent NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin has voiced strong criticism against NASCAR’s new Open Exemption Provisional rule. This regulation allows top-tier drivers from other racing disciplines to enter NASCAR races without going through the traditional qualifying process.

At a press event at Bowman Gray Stadium, Hamlin didn’t hold back, admitting his annoyance with what he labeled as a ‘desperate’ move by NASCAR.

“I don’t know how else to say it; I don’t know how nice you can really say it,” he said via Racer.com. “It just feels like you’re really trying to get any kind of headline you can to be relevant and I don’t love it.”

He continued:

“To me, it’s a short-term gain long-term loss.

“I think you’re the premier stock car series in the U.S., the premier racing sport in the U.S. — be the big boys and force people to come in here and get their credentials and do it the natural way.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a big factor anywhere other than Daytona, but just simply saying that someone has a name that interests you and they’re going to have an automatic bid into the highest form of motorsports in the U.S., I don’t love it.”

The OEP is set to make its debut at the upcoming Daytona 500, with racing star Helio Castroneves already slated to join the sport under this provision.

NASCAR’s decision to roll out the OEP comes as part of a series of changes for the 2025 season. By permitting exceptional drivers from outside the traditional NASCAR fold automatic entry into races, the governing body aims to boost spectator interest and broaden the sport’s appeal.

While some see it as an exciting opportunity to bring new talent to the track, others, like Hamlin, fear it compromises the core of NASCAR’s competitiveness. Helio Castroneves, a talented driver with four Indianapolis 500 wins under his belt, is among the first to benefit from this new rule, securing a provisional spot in the 2025 Daytona 500.

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For drivers like Hamlin, the OEP seems to be a worrying shift in NASCAR’s methods. Hamlin feels the sport should focus on maintaining its status by requiring drivers to qualify traditionally, regardless of their background.

The introduction of the OEP is not without controversy, as is exemplified by the case of Mike Wallace. Despite his extensive NASCAR experience, Wallace was denied entry to the 2025 Daytona 500 because of a lack of recent experience, with his latest race being in 2015. On the other hand, Castroneves, who is less established within NASCAR, was approved. This contrast has led to questions about the criteria for OEP eligibility and whether such decisions align with the sport’s competitive principles.

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But why is NASCAR making such changes? The sport is attempting to tackle a declining viewership by captivating younger fans.

The coming months, particularly with the OEP’s debut at the Daytona 500, will further surface these tensions and perhaps challenge the organization to rethink its rules. Whether NASCAR will lean into these new developments remains to be seen.

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