Denny Hamlin explains his tweet asking NASCAR to reconsider the Chicago Street Race

When rain poured down in Chicago on Sunday, Denny Hamlin jumped on the side of common sense. He wanted NASCAR to delay the start of the race, sending out a tweet and urging for a postponed start.

NASCAR listened and opted for a later start time the Chicago Street Race, the Grant Park 220. Even though conditions were still wet, it was a much better situation than had the race started on time.

During his Actions Detrimental podcast this week, Hamlin explained why he sent out the tweet prior to Sunday’s race. He felt conditions created an unsafe driving environment.

“That’s why I said what I did in the tweet before we actually did get started when it was downpour rain,” Hamlin said. “I mean, there was a foot of water on the racetrack and they’re saying, ‘Be ready, everything’s on time.’ Like, we’re in driver’s intros and it’s just a monsoon. It’s terrible.

“Like, what? Stop. Don’t do this. This is not the right decision. It’s totally unsafe for us to be out there in these conditions. So, that’s when I sent that tweet out. And they didn’t do it.”

We cannot control god. What we can control is our decisions and reactions to unforeseen circumstances. Please @NASCAR . Do not do this. We have too much positive momentum around this weekend to change the narrative now.

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) July 2, 2023

Approximately an hour before the race, Hamlin urged NASCAR to delay the start time on Twitter.

“We cannot control god. What we can control is our decisions and reactions to unforeseen circumstances,” Hamlin wrote Sunday. “Please NASCAR. Do not do this. We have too much positive momentum around this weekend to change the narrative now.”

Ultimately, NASCAR did get the Grant Park 220 in on Sunday — although running 75 laps instead of a full 100 — even with the delayed start. And we saw a surprise winner take the checkered flag, with Shane van Gisbergen emerging victorious in the Windy City.

Denny Hamlin looks forward to NASCAR’s return to Chicago

Even with the soggy conditions occupying Chicago on Sunday, NASCAR’s street race in Chicago turned out to be a big success. Fans came out in a big way to show support for the event.

Hamlin said he’s already looking forward to doing it again.

“I couldn’t believe how many people were there,” Hamlin said. “It’s pouring rain, there’s absolutely not a soul there for our intros. I mean, a hundred people I felt like were maybe there. All of a sudden we walk out to get in our cars and it’s like ‘Oh, it’s filling up here. They’re starting to file in. And at the end of the race, I get out of the car and the stands are full. I was like wow. People were committed. Definitely committed to going and that just tells you the enthusiasm at that whole place.”

Hamlin ended the race in the 11th spot on Sunday.

“We were trying something new and I thought it was a huge success. I really look forward to having the opportunity to come back next year… It seemed like they [Chicago] were really excited to have us there. Definitely hope that we’re able to keep this going for the next two years.”