When NASCAR unveiled the Next Gen car in 2022, it was hailed as a game-changer. Sleeker bodies, symmetrical builds, independent rear suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and more. These features promised to modernize stock car racing while, most importantly, ‘leveling the playing field.’
Manufacturers loved it. Teams saw cost-cutting potential. And fans were told it would deliver better, tighter racing at every track.
But as is often the case in motorsports, the gap between boardroom pitches and racetrack reality proved wider than expected. While the car excelled on certain circuits, others exposed glaring flaws. Drivers began raising eyebrows. There were whispers (which later grew into full-blown conversations) about passing issues and awkward balance. And now, one of the sport’s biggest stars, Denny Hamlin, has decided to lay it all out, exposing a years-long oversight that could’ve been disastrous.
Denny Hamlin has been vocal about the Next-Gen car’s shortcomings right from the beginning. In a recent episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast, he candidly revealed that the development process was far from perfect. Reflecting on the early days, Hamlin said, “They didn’t do enough testing. The car wasn’t ready. ” He pointed out the fact that multiple cars weren’t tested right up to two months before the 2022 season’s first race. This, obviously, created a ticking time bomb for race-day performance.
The problems became glaringly obvious once the Next-Gen car hit the track. One of the major issues? Difficulties in passing. And this has been evident throughout the seasons. Just take a look at the recent Bristol race. Kyle Larson led a record-breaking 411 out of 500 laps. A dominant performance? Yes. But it was a symptom of a deeper problem. When one car checks out like that, it’s less about brilliance and more about broken balance in the field. Clean air remains king, and without meaningful changes, fans are stuck watching processions instead of battles.
Other glaring issues include unpredictable handling in traffic and an overall lack of rear downforce when cars run nose-low setups to counter the traffic issue. Hamlin revealed on his podcast, “When we did lower the nose in that test, it made traffic better. But what we found is when you ran out front, the thing was just uncontrollably loose. which is because it was not feeding the rear down force, you know, because the front end was pinching it off. But it was significantly better in traffic. So we can fix this car. The teams can fix this car. They just got to get with the drivers, get in a room and figure out what do you fight.” That imbalance has made finding a setup that works in clean air and traffic nearly impossible, leaving teams scrambling for compromises.
The core issue, as Denny Hamlin sees it, is NASCAR’s top-down approach to car development. Decisions were made without enough input from the people who know racing best – the drivers. “They just got to get with the drivers, get in a room and figure out what do you fight. Why can’t you pass?” he urged. It’s a clear call for collaboration. The current problems aren’t unsolvable, but they need a room full of racers, not just execs.
Ultimately, Hamlin’s frank assessment reveals a four-year-long struggle with NASCAR’s Next-Gen car, marked by rushed development and missed opportunities. Yet, his optimism shines through: “We can fix this car. The teams can fix this car.” The path forward demands open communication, driver involvement, and a willingness to adapt. For NASCAR to reclaim the thrilling, edge-of-your-seat racing fans crave, it’s time to listen closely to those behind the wheel and work together toward meaningful change.
NASCAR drivers unite against Next-Gen flaws
Denny Hamlin isn’t the only one raising red flags about the Next-Gen car. Over the past seasons, a growing list of Cup drivers have echoed similar frustrations. From Kevin Harvick to Joey Logano, several veterans have voiced concerns about the car’s handling quirks, passing struggles, and safety issues (and more). The chorus is getting louder, and NASCAR can’t ignore it much longer.
After the 2022 Bristol race, Kevin Harvick openly criticized the Next Gen car’s passing difficulties. “Just difficult to pass. The car is way too fast through the corners. Can’t race.” His frustration extended beyond performance issues to safety concerns. Remember, the same year, Harvick experiencing a fire at Darlington Raceway that engulfed his No. 4 Ford?
Then there was Chase Elliott, who criticized the safety of the Next-Gen cars. “It just blows me away that we can have something new in 2022 that offers all of this technology and all of this time and experience of so many super talented people in this sport, and we allow it to go backward, especially with safety,” he said.
Then, there was another NASCAR legend – Mark Martin – who launched a brutal Next-Gen criticism in 2024, which left fans clashing. He criticized the placement of numbers pushed toward the front tires. His cryptic comment, “Wouldn’t it look better if the number was all up on the front tire?” revealed that even veteran drivers who no longer compete find fault with NASCAR’s latest innovation, extending criticism beyond just performance and safety concerns.
It’s clear the Next-Gen car was meant to be NASCAR’s big leap forward. But, in reality, it’s hit a wall of its own making. From race-day frustrations to safety scares and design debates, the grumbling hasn’t stopped. With veterans, current stars, and legends alike speaking out, NASCAR faces a pivotal crossroads: fix it or risk losing the locker room for good. And NASCAR definitely wouldn’t want that!
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