Hamlin: Drivers should have equal say
Friday, Nov. 13, 2009
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TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 30: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 30, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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AVONDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: (L-R) Mark Martin, driver of the #5 CARQUEST/Kellogg's Chevrolet, talks with Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 13, 2009 in Avondale, AZ. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)
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AVONDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 13, 2009 in Avondale, AZ. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
AP
Jeff Gordon changes hats in Victory Lane after qualifying on the pole for Sunday's Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Nov. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Ralph Lauer)
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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 06: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota, climbs in his car prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 6, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Denny Hamlin believes all drivers in NASCAR should have an equal say in shaping policy decisions.
“We’ve all driven this COT the same number of years,” Hamlin said Friday at Phoenix International Raceway. “I wish everyone could have equal say so, not just somebody behind closed doors, being able to change rules.”
Hamlin is referring to Jeff Gordon, who was among a group of drivers who lobbied NASCAR officials prior to the race at Talladega, Ala., to prohibit bump-drafting through the corners of the race two weeks ago. Many race fans blame the eleventh-hour rule change for what they perceived as a less-than-exciting race.
In the lead-up to last weekend’s race, Hamlin made several comments on his Twitter account about Gordon’s action, at one time writing, “Who’s in charge?”
“It’s just frustrating he has that much pull with NASCAR,” Hamlin said of Gordon, a four-time Cup champion.
“The Talladega thing just bugged me. When I heard someone influenced them, it got on my nerves.”
Hamlin said he has gone to NASCAR to express his opinion on issues, but doesn’t think his opinion holds as much weight as others.
“I just wish NASCAR would ask my opinion sometimes,” he said. “I think they are a little bit more responsive to some other guys.”
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