In a recent outburst on his Actions Detrimental podcast, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin vehemently defended the sport’s group qualifying system, responding to persistent criticisms from fans who prefer the older format. Hamlin, known for his outspoken nature, didn’t hold back, urging fans to let the subject rest. “This is the most fair way to do it. Stop complaining,” he told fans during the episode.
According to the Florida driver, the current system, which divides drivers into two groups—Group A and Group B—allows for more equitable competition as each driver faces similar conditions within their respective group.
“By the way, whoever your driver got screwed this week because of the A and the B, they reaped the benefits of that last week. You weren’t complaining—you didn’t say s**t then. What I’m saying is, it works out. All the drivers would rather, I’m telling you, they would rather do it this way, to only race the cars in their group, because the conditions are the same,” Hamlin explained passionately.
Despite the system’s benefits, Hamlin admitted the confusion it can create on television. The visual presentation of groups during qualifications has been a point of contention amongst viewers. He suggested a simple change to remedy this:
“If we go to Richmond and you did not have the A on the outside, the B on the inside, it’s going to be all A cars in the top five, and all the B are going to be six through ten, because it’s just—it’s such an advantage to have your tires cooler, and I’m telling you, the way they’re doing it now is the most fair way to do it. It just looks wonky on TV.
Hamlin also proposed a change in how groups are displayed during the broadcast.
“I think the only way they can make it maybe different, is the A should be on the outside, and the B on the inside, because it would look better on a graphic on TV. Because right now, like, the fast qualifier of A, is always on the pole position, so he’s on this column, and all the rest of the A are on this column.
“So, it looks messed up. If they just put them all over here, and said, ‘Okay, A’s going out.’ They’re all on the inside lane, it’s going to look right on TV. If someone in B sets the fastest time, slide him over. Slide him over to that A spot, everyone else just moves down. I think it just looks funky on TV.”
