Denny Hamlin pleased with NASCAR for keeping Clash at LA Coliseum on schedule

Denny Hamlin believes NASCAR made the correct decision by returning to the Los Angeles Coliseum for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Clash.

The move was announced last weekend, and Hamlin believes it’s the best possible scenario for the event, as they’ll return to the unique venue for another go-round in 2024.

“So The Clash is returning to LA, I like that move,” Hamlin revealed, via Actions Detrimental. “I mean, I think that you know, it is a long way out there. It’s tough on the race teams, for sure. But I think it’s still a cool venue, and a cool type of format.”

Continuing, Hamlin explained that while The Clash at the LA Coliseum can be tough on race teams, it makes sense to return to the area for the event.

“Logistically, we started the season, we go all the way out to LA for this exhibition race, and then we’ve got to go all the way out to Daytona, the other side of the Earth basically, and then the week after that we go out to the West Coast. So it’s just back and forth,” added Hamlin. “That part of it’s tough. From the financial standpoint, The Clash isn’t really a heavy paying event, so all the teams pretty much lose money on it.

“But in the past it’s been good for the sport. Certainly got better ratings in its first couple times than our previous Clash races.”

Denny Hamlin says Bristol Dirt Race ‘ran its course’

Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin also made his feelings known regarding NASCAR’s announcement that concrete will return for Bristol’s spring date, as the track is opting to go back to the usual racing surface instead of bringing dirt in. 

While the spectacle of dirt racing was something to marvel at for a while, Hamlin believes the product on track is better when Bristol uses its concrete surface, and that’s not just because he’s coming off a win.

“Who knows if this means that the dirt race entirely will go away, whether they take it to another place or not, but it sounds like it definitely — the Bristol Dirt (Race) is going away. I think that’s, you know, the right thing to do, for sure. I think that, that kind of ran it’s course,” explained Hamlin, via Actions Detrimental. “The fans came out hot and heavy the first year. The second year, eh. But yeah, that’s such a great venue, that you hate to cover it up for dirt. I’m sure SMI probably sees it too. There’s a cost and expense to loading a bunch of dirt into that place, and then cleaning up afterwards. 

“So you know, we’ve had that happen, so we know that Bristol Dirt will not return next year. We’re going to be back on the concrete for two races. Me personally, my opinion, I’m looking forward to that.”

Alas, Bristol will remain one of NASCAR’s premier tracks, and sometimes it’s best not to mess with what works. Denny Hamlin and many drivers were in favor of the change, and they got their wish.