Denny Hamlin believes NASCAR is 'lucky' to have Steve Phelps as president

NASCAR is in a time of change. A lot of that has to do with president Steve Phelps, who Denny Hamlin sees as an asset. No decision that Phelps makes can please everyone in the sport, but he’s doing what he thinks is best to grow NASCAR in the near and distant future.

Of course, Denny Hamlin is always one to speak his mind. He isn’t afraid to say what he’s thinking and deal with the consequences later. In fact, he’s had some critical things to say about how NASCAR has handled certain aspects of the Next Gen car, policing drivers for actions on and off track, and more.

While talking with Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, Hamlin said NASCAR is “lucky” to have Phelps.

“Steve has had a tremendous amont of responsibility put on his shoulders,” Hamlin said, via The Athletic. “I have the utmost respect for him and what he is as a leader. He’s one of the first guys that will wish you luck on the grid on every Sunday, walking in nearly every car and showing his presence and showing his leadership. And then probably as soon as he gets done with the grid, having to go and have tough meetings with executives on our TV deals or tracks or something. The guy works as hard as anyone in the industry. We’re all very lucky to have him.”

A lot of fans have their issues with Steve Phelps, there is no denying that. He’s done a lot of “radical” things in the last few years. The banning of the Confederate Flag was his brightest moment, but perhaps the most controversial considering the historic fanbase of the sport.

Denny Hamlin sees the vision of Phelps, and he likes what he sees.

Denny Hamlin recovering from shoulder surgery

There is a lot of concern around Denny Hamlin recovering from his shoulder injury. He had to get surgery on his right shoulder. It started out as a bone spur procedure, a typical thing for Hamlin. However, it turned into something worse earlier this season and progressively got more painful.

While Hamlin expects to recover just fine, the length of that recovery is the issue. In Nashville while at the NASCAR Awards, Hamlin wouldn’t commit himself to being good to go by the Busch Light Clash.

Don’t expect the three-time Daytona 500 winner to miss the first points race of the year. He’s got his eyes set on a championship-caliber season. That all starts with the Super Bowl of the sport, at the World Center of Racing.

Keep an eye out, Denny Hamlin might be sidelined into February. Depending on how his recovery goes and what his doctors say, we might not see the 11-team suit up until the Daytona 500.