A controversy that has been taking over the NASCAR world in the past few days is the Hall of Fame. The whole event began after comments made by Travis Rockhold, producer of the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Download podcast.

Rockhold gave his controversial take about how it should only be the Cup Series drivers who should be considered for the Hall of Fame. He said that the developmental series, such as O’Rilley, Xfinity, Bush, and Nationwide, should not be taken into account. 

The podcast host, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was quick to shut down these comments by saying, “It's the NASCAR Hall of Fame, not the NASCAR Cup Hall of Fame." This sparked a huge debate among the fans and drivers. Some disagree with Rockhold, while others agree. 

On his podcast “Actions Detrimental by Denny Hamlin,” Hamlin doubled down on his words saying, “I believe that most of the people that have adamant arguments for the lower series guys, they have an emotional connection to those people.”

“Go ask anyone, anyone that is a casual…they’re not watching. Do they know that there’s like, six series of NASCAR? No. They know of Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and Richard Petty. That’s Sunday.”

Denny Hamlin further spoke about the hierarchy of the sport. This includes winning at the grassroots and winning at the regional level. Followed by winning at Xfinity and others, and then it's the Cup Series. He went on to argue as to why not pick them from the Cup Series exclusively instead of all the series.

There have been a few NASCAR drivers over the years who have been able to accomplish major success in these series. They are only separated on the basis of their racing experience. 

Is Hamlin Going Against His Opinion?

Denny Hamlin is one of the most active NASCAR drivers on social media. So it was not a shocker when he responded to Kenny Wallace’s video in support of Rockhold.

What caught everyone's attention was the reply Hamlin gave one of the fans. The fan asked the driver if he felt that Ray Hendrick, a former Hall of Fame inductee, did not deserve to be in the Hall of Fame due to his lack of participation in the Cup Series.

Denny Hamlin replied saying, “Definitely not saying that. I actually think the farther back in time you go, the less the gap is between top level and grassroots. Today the gap is too large between lets say Modifieds and Cup.” 

Despite the technological gap between the cars in the developmental series and the Cup Series being huge, it is only logical that credit be given where credit is due. 

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Shraabona Sengupta