Denny Hamlin had some interesting thoughts on the evolution of Atlanta Motor Speedway’s racing surface.
Of course, Atlanta was recently repaved, which has brought about some of the most exciting racing we’ve seen over the last couple of seasons. However, Hamlin believes it’s already beginning to become less effective, and he has a theory as to why.
“It’s something about tracks in the southeast,” explained Hamlin, speaking on the speedway’s surface via Actions Detrimental. “I guess it’s probably because of the weather, that’s creating bad thunderstorms. Hard rain. Intense heat. That’s making the surfaces age quicker.
“… It is small, for sure. You can start to see it, because the pavement itself goes from being black when it’s laid, to it starts getting to be a lighter shade of grey, each and every time we go back.”
While Hamlin conceded that the changes are small, it’s definitely making a difference each time NASCAR returns to Atlanta. Whether it’s the weather or a different factor remains to be seen, but it’s an interesting theory nonetheless.
For now, NASCAR fans will enjoy Atlanta Motor Speedway while the racing remains fantastic, and Denny Hamlin will continue to look for a win at the track each time the sport comes to town.
Denny Hamlin weighs in on whether NASCAR made the right decision calling race early in Atlanta
Meanwhile, NASCAR seems to be having all sorts of trouble with weather this year. Rain proved to be a problem again on Sunday during the Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, forcing an early end to the Quaker State 400.
Was ending the race at Lap 185 due to rain the right move? Denny Hamlin weighed in on the decision on the latest episode of his podcast, Actions Detrimental.
“My first question is, screw the rain, tell me where the lightning is. Because that’s what we always stop for first,” Hamlin said. “When we didn’t go back green — we were running under caution — I was like, ‘What are we doing?’”
Hamlin compared the situation in Atlanta to the one NASCAR faced at Daytona. At the popular Florida track, drivers were met with a downpour of rain. On Sunday, the inclement weather hit the track in stages.
“It was going to drizzle before it rained, and it did. But I think NASCAR’s just gonna err on the side of more caution now because of the incident at Daytona,” he said.
Because of NASCAR’s timing, William Byron claimed his fourth victory of the season. While he had a great run in the Quaker State 400, there was also an element of “right place, right time.” Byron chose not to pit under a caution flag, a strategy that resulted in another checkered flag.
“Should William have won the race? I mean, I think it was just because he stayed out, right?” Hamlin said. “I don’t know, I don’t know the answer to that. Certainly we’ve had some finishes that the order got mixed up because of rain. So, I’m not sure.”
Hamlin clarified his comment, saying Byron had a car strong enough to get the win at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday anyway. But NASCAR’s timing and decision to call the race certainly aided his efforts, as well.
On3’s Dustin Schutte contributed to this article.