Denny Hamlin Criticizes NASCAR’s Broadcasting Decisions for Lack of Consistency
In a recent episode of the “Actions Detrimental” podcast, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin voiced his frustration over what he describes as “confusing” broadcasting decisions by the sport’s governing body. Hamlin, a veteran driver with a deep understanding of the NASCAR ecosystem, is calling for more consistency in how and when races are broadcasted, emphasizing that the current approach is detrimental to both teams and fans.
Hamlin’s criticism centers around NASCAR’s strategy of distributing races across multiple networks and varying start times. He argues that this approach, driven by a desire to maximize media revenue, is causing unnecessary confusion among viewers and complicating the efforts of teams to secure sponsorships. “NASCAR is wanting to get whatever dollar, every penny of media that they possibly can because that’s money that goes in their pockets,” Hamlin stated. “For us as teams, which is what we’ve been saying for years, we’re so sponsorship-based. When you take us and put us on all these other networks and all these other start times, I hate to say it’s confusing.”
Hamlin expressed concern that while dedicated fans will eventually track down race broadcasts, the broader audience may struggle with the erratic scheduling. He pointed out that this inconsistency might hinder NASCAR’s ability to attract new viewers and grow the sport. “You’re going to have your avid fans that are going to figure it out, but that number is just not as big as it needs to be,” Hamlin said. “I just feel like our interests aren’t aligned.”
Drawing a comparison to IndyCar, Hamlin highlighted how that series has benefited from a more streamlined broadcasting approach. “We wish every race was on Fox or NBC, the big network,” he said. “That’s what they do with IndyCar. They just said alright, we’re going to take way less money since the teams are dependent on sponsorship. This is going to be good for the teams and it’ll be good for the sport because it’ll grow our sport.”
Hamlin’s remarks come in the wake of NASCAR’s announcement of a significant new television deal in November, which includes partnerships with Fox, NBC, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Amazon. This expanded coverage aims to increase NASCAR’s reach and visibility across different platforms. While Hamlin acknowledges the potential benefits of having major players like Warner Bros. Discovery and Amazon involved, he remains concerned about the overall impact on fan engagement.
“I think that Amazon is going to be a great partner. Turner (Warner Bros. Discovery) is going to be good for us because they’ve got such a reach with their Bleacher Report and whatnot,” Hamlin noted. “But it’s more of the bigger thing of just getting us a more common starting time. I think that’s a good thing. If it becomes more common, you get more races in on the day of the event, and it just becomes a little easier for your fans to know when you’re on TV.”
Hamlin’s call for more consistent scheduling and fewer network switches underscores a growing concern among drivers and teams about how broadcasting decisions impact their ability to connect with fans and secure sponsorships. As NASCAR continues to navigate its evolving media landscape, the challenge will be finding a balance between maximizing revenue and maintaining a fan-friendly viewing experience.
