Denny Hamlin approves of NASCAR safety changes despite increased cost to teams

There are changes coming to the NASCAR Next Gen car after that Kyle Larson/Ryan Preece wreck at Talladega. Denny Hamlin approves. The driver-owner knows that teams are going to have increased costs because of the changes coming to strengthen the chassis on the passenger side of the car. Still, safety is the top priority.

The changes coming to the car sound simple enough, but they will increase costs as teams get ready for Charlotte, where these changes will first be implemented. In response to Kyle Larson’s chassis coming apart after the hard hit into his side at Dega, NASCAR is adding strength.

Gusset plates will be set where the bars of the chassis connect. Also, a v-brace will be taken off the front clip t allow for more crushing during accidents.

“Yeah I mean we’re, just part of what we’re doing right?” Hamlin said, via Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports. “Just keep evolving this car. Keep changing it. There’s probably more changes on the way. It’s tough on the teams, right? If we didn’t get it perfect right off the bat, we’ve had so many iterations that the cost really falls on the teams for the most part. So, that part of it’s tough but it’s better for safety so we just gotta deal with that.”

NASCAR has informed teams of changes to Cup cars starting at Charlotte. Gusset plates where bars connect will be used on the passenger side to strengthen the center chassis and NASCAR will eliminate a V-brace in the front clip to allow it to crush more. Denny Hamlin's thoughts: pic.twitter.com/cnfd2BDlaT

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 20, 2023

Without drivers, teams don’t have a product. Keeping those guys and gals safe is the main priority and this is a step in the right direction. That Larson and Preece wreck could have been much worse than what we saw.

Denny Hamlin prepares for All-Star Race

Of course, the ultimate goal for drivers like Denny Hamlin this weekend is the $1,00,000 payday for winning the All-Star Race. Hamlin won the All-Star Race back in 2015, however, this is a much different gamehe’s facing at North Wilkesboro.

From what we’ve heard already this week, the track, repaved in 1981 and mended to prepare for this week’s event. Still, that asphalt is taking a beating. We could see some major tire damage, maybe even a piece of the track hitting a car and causing issues.

Reviving North Wilkesboro was no easy task. Many drivers and owners and fans thought it would just be taken by the earth eventually. Thanks to fans who believed and guys like Dale Jr., the track is alive and breathing again for the first time in almost 30 years.

Denny Hamlin is Mr. Crown Jewel, right? North Wilkesboro might not be a Crown Jewel as it were, but it is a rare and unique event. It sounds like it has Hamlin written all over it, although that will be easier said than done with some of the short track talent in the field.