Denny Hamlin expressed firm support for maintaining the Chicago Street Race in the NASCAR Cup Series calendar, amid rumors that it might be replaced when the current three-year agreement with the city expires this season. While acknowledging the return of Chicagoland Speedway, Hamlin emphasized that it should not replace the street race but rather complement the schedule.
There is speculation that San Diego could become the new host city for a street race, which currently only takes place in Chicago within the Cup Series. This potential addition could impact Chicago’s unique role on the schedule and its long-term presence.
Speaking to the media on July 5, Hamlin highlighted the race’s broader impact beyond just motorsports.
“I personally would like to see them do everything they can to keep it here….I can just tell you that non-racing fans at the hotel I’m staying at are talking about the race and so I think that it’s certainly got some sort of economical impact to the city itself,” —Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
“I still would like to see, you know, Chicagoland is not a substitute for this race, I’d like to see us run both,” —Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Hamlin also pointed out the connection between his team co-owner Michael Jordan and Chicago, noting how the race weekend is a significant time for fan engagement activities for their 23XI Racing team.</p>
Challenges for Hamlin at The Grant Park 165 Following Practice Setback
Hamlin faced difficulties early in the race weekend as a blown engine during Saturday’s practice prevented him from qualifying. This setback means the Joe Gibbs Racing driver will start from the back of the grid on race day for The Grant Park 165. The incident adds to a troubling pattern, as Hamlin previously suffered engine failures at Texas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway, both resulting in early race eliminations during this season.
Hamlin Reacts to Emerging Rivalry with Ty Dillon in In-Season Challenge
In addition to his focus on the Chicago Street Race, Hamlin shared his perspective on the recent In-Season Challenge that sparked an unexpected rivalry with Ty Dillon. Following Dillon’s victory over Hamlin in the first round at Atlanta, Hamlin noted that creating such rivalries was an intended outcome of the bracket-style event.
“I think that that’s one of the things that the In-season tournament was meant to do, right? Is to create a rivalry that maybe you wouldn’t think of and it’s, you know, while that rivalry may only last one week, the social media content will live on for forever for it,” —Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
During the second race of the tournament at Echopark Speedway, Hamlin caused a multi-car crash that ended his run, allowing Dillon to advance and face Brad Keselowski from RFK Racing in the next round. This unexpected duel highlights the unpredictable nature of the new tournament format and its social media impact.
Significance of Chicago Race and Outlook for NASCAR’s Street Racing Future
The Chicago Street Race remains a distinctive event for NASCAR, offering city-centered excitement that draws attention beyond traditional racing fans, as Hamlin observed. The potential replacement of this event by San Diego raises questions about the series’ direction and the value placed on urban racing venues.
Hamlin’s insistence that Chicagoland Speedway should serve as a complementary venue rather than a substitute underscores the desire to keep diverse types of tracks on the calendar. The future of Chicago’s race will likely influence NASCAR’s strategic choices about audience engagement and race variety moving forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin started his full-time career in the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006. Since then, he’s become a racing legend. Hamlin has won 51 Cup Series races and claimed three Daytona 500 titles in 2016, 2019, and 2020. Throughout his career, he has also earned millions of dollars.
Q. Why did NASCAR penalize Denny Hamlin?
A. Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team received a penalty for breaking NASCAR’s engine inspection rules. NASCAR announced they imposed an L2-level penalty on Thursday after finding violations in Sections 14.7.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. He has built a huge fortune worth $65 million through his career earnings, endorsements, team ownership, and real estate investments.
The key factors contributing to Hamlin’s wealth are:
– A lot of money from winning races and contracts in NASCAR.
– Long-lasting sponsorships with companies like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin lose 75 points for engine violation?
A. NASCAR penalized Denny Hamlin and car owner Joe Gibbs by taking away 75 regular-season points and 10 playoff points. This was due to a level 2 penalty for breaking engine seal rules after Hamlin won in Bristol in the spring, according to the announcement made Thursday.