Denny Hamlin Teases ‘Absolute Chaos’ at Daytona

Denny Hamlin teased that Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona could be a wild one. The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at the 2.5-mile superspeedway is the final race before The Chase. 

NASCAR is introducing a new rules package for Saturday’s 160-lap event. Without a practice session and only a single-car qualifying run, drivers will be facing a lot of unknown when they head to “The World Center of Racing” this weekend.

Denny Hamlin on Daytona: ‘Has potential to be absolute chaos’

On a recent episode of his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, Hamlin looked ahead to this weekend’s race at Daytona. The driver of the No. 11 does not want to “oversell” the potential of what NASCAR fans can expect this weekend, but with what he has seen, he believes it could be a race to remember.

“I think this weekend has — I’m not trying to oversell, don’t Dirty Mo Media trying to use this clip for God’s sake — I think this weekend has potential to be absolute [expletive] chaos,” Hamlin said. 

NASCAR’s new rules package for Daytona includes a reduction of the rear spoiler from seven inches to four inches, the same as intermediate tracks. The change was made in an effort to create less drag, providing drivers with a better opportunity of driving through the field.

In an attempt to reduce downforce, NASCAR is reducing the horsepower from 510 to 465. Based on what Hamlin has analyzed, he believes the new rules package could create chaos.

“Just from what I’m getting and the data I’m seeing on this new package, I think the cars could be far more out of control when they’re trying to push each other. Which could cause smoke. When there’s smoke, there’s a wreck coming,” Hamlin said. 

In recent years, drivers have struggled to drive through the field with the old rules package. This time, however, Hamlin expects it to be easier.

“I do think the ability to go from the back to the front will be easier than years past,” Hamlin said. 

Hamlin expects drivers to be ‘caught off guard’ by new rules package

For some drivers, Hamlin does not expect Daytona to be an easy go.

The 45-year-old believes handling will be a critical factor in performance. Hamlin expects at least one team will miss the setup on their car, which will turn into a poor night for their driver.

“I’m telling you, setup is going to matter. Someone is going to miss it and they’re going to be out of control,” Hamlin said. 

Hamlin also believes some drivers will struggle with the bump drafting in the 400-mile race, expecting it to be more intense than previous years.

“I think lots of someones are going to get caught off guard by how unstable these cars are when they’re getting shoved around,” Hamlin said. 

Fortunately for Hamlin, he enters Daytona with little to worry about. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver clinched the top seed for The Chase this past Sunday at New Hampshire. No matter the outcome at Daytona, Hamlin will be the points leader at the beginning of the 10-race Chase.