"We've been saying this for quite some time — manufacturers have way too much say in the outcomes of these races and the manufacturers -- I'm part of one, but they've ruined superspeedway racing."
Speaking on his popular podcast, Actions Detrimental, Denny Hamlin made his feelings about manufacturer meddling clear to his co-host Jared Allen. The 23XI team co-owner, who partners with Toyota, understands manufacturers are crucial for the series, but believes there needs to be a line drawn in the sand at some point.
"I don't know what you do about this. NASCAR's not going to do anything to the manufacturers because that is their bread and butter. They do not want to do anything that upsets manufacturers. They've been trying for a decade now to get another one into our sport and they certainly cannot afford for one to leave."
What can NASCAR do about manufacturer influence?
So how can the series crack down on manufacturer influence without losing one of the three OEMs? Hamlin's idea involves a NASCAR championship that is rarely talked about.
"Fine them manufacturer series points?" he openly asked. "The manufacturers really do care about that quite a bit. We've got to do something to reel this back in because its happening way too often."
But of course, Hamlin's own manufacturer and the team he co-owns has been swept up in some of the controversy following Sunday's Round of 8 elimination race. Bubba Wallace was being kept apprised of the fluctuating points situation and Christopher Bell's place on track. He then appeared to have an issue that caused him to rapidly slow. Bell caught him on the final lap for the critical point that would have put him in the Championship 4, but the wall-ride that followed made it all for not as NASCAR later penalized him.
As for what was wrong with Wallace's car, the initial radio discussed a possible tire issue before his spotter later observed the tires to be fully inflated. They then connected it to the mechanical failure that put his teammate out of the race earlier. Whatever it was, NASCAR likely knows the answer by now as they tore the car down after the race.
No Toyota team orders
As for any possible shenanigans, Hamlin was adamant that such things aren't part of how Toyota Racing operates.
"The only thing I can tell you for a fact because I am part of Toyota racing is Toyota racing never -- not once this week -- told 23XI to do anything for JGR," said Hamlin. "They were not involved whatsoever. I don't think I've ever been a part of a conversation saying if this happens then you have to do this. They've never said that, even on superspeedways. They've left it up to the teams to just kind of: 'You guys figure it out. We're going to provide you what we provide you but we hope you work together,' but that's it.
"There's never been any rules that Toyota has laid out to say 'this is what we want you to do.'"
Since the writing of this story, NASCAR has issues significant penalties to Wallace, as well as the Chevrolet duo of Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain, who appeared to be guarding the No. 24 of William Byron in the closing laps. The penalties include the loss of points, a six-figure fine, and the suspension of several key personnel.
