Frustration is mounting in the NASCAR Cup Series, and veteran driver Denny Hamlin isn’t hiding his discontent. In the wake of another race dominated by lackluster, two-by-two pack racing—an issue many blame on the limitations of the Next Gen car—Hamlin is turning his attention elsewhere: the Xfinity Series. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver recently voiced his admiration for the intense, unpredictable competition that still defines Xfinity superspeedway events, where drivers can make bold moves and shake up the leaderboard with thrilling passes. For Hamlin, that kind of edge-of-your-seat racing feels like the lifeblood of NASCAR—something he feels the Cup Series has lost.
While the Cup Series continues to struggle with the rigidity of the current car design, which often traps drivers in long, uneventful stretches of tandem running, the Xfinity Series continues to deliver what fans crave: real action, daring strategies, and heart-pounding finishes. Hamlin hinted that he’s so eager to recapture that excitement, he’s willing to return to the Xfinity Series if Joe Gibbs Racing will let him. His comments reflect growing unrest among drivers and fans alike, many of whom believe the Next Gen platform is strangling the spontaneity that once defined NASCAR’s most iconic races.
This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a call to action. Hamlin’s push to compete in the Xfinity Series may be the start of a broader conversation about where NASCAR’s future really lies. If veterans like him see more value in Xfinity than in the Cup Series, it raises serious questions about the direction of the sport—and where fans should look for the most exciting racing today.
