NASCAR Cup points leader Denny Hamlin is fully aware of the complaints about dull racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He says it’s time for NASCAR to point at itself for the issue.
The 45-year-old Cup veteran who finished fifth in the 2026 Brickyard 400 discussed the issue on the “Daily Downforce” podcast, complimenting IMS president J. Douglas Boles and the estimated 70,000 fans who attended the race.
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“It’s historic,” Hamlin said of the venue. ” We don’t need to be (expletive) complaining about being on the oval.”
Cup cars raced on the 2.5-mile oval from 1994-2020, then moved to the 2.4-mile, 14-turn road course for three years before returning to the oval in 2024.
Hamlin then pointed to what he considers the problem.
“This is a car problem, not an Indy problem,” Hamlin said. “Yes, passing at Indy has been difficult for decades, but it ain’t been impossible.
“Now it is impossible (without a driver making a big tactical mistake).”
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Corey Heim wins NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey Heim (67) celebrates Sunday, July 26, 2026, after winning the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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Corey Heim wins NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey Heim (67) celebrates Sunday, July 26, 2026, after winning the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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Corey Heim wins NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey Heim (67) celebrates Sunday, July 26, 2026, after winning the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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Corey Heim wins NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey Heim (67) crosses the Yard of Bricks on Sunday, July 26, 2026, to win the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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Corey Heim wins NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11), front center, leaves his pit box ahead of NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey Heim (67), left, Sunday, July 26, 2026 during the NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Ind.
(Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar)
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Corey Heim wins NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey Heim (67) watches qualifications on pit road on Saturday, July 25, 2026, during qualifying for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Corey Heim wins NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey Heim (67) makes a pit stop Sunday, July 26, 2026, during the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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Corey Heim wins NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11), right, works to stay ahead of NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey Heim (67), left, as they leave pit road Sunday, July 26, 2026 during the NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Ind.
(Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar)
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Corey Heim wins NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey Heim (67) makes a pit stop Sunday, July 26, 2026, during the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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Corey Heim wins NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey Heim (67) leans against his car Saturday, July 25, 2026, during qualifying for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Hamlin said he wants drivers and NASCAR’s competition committee to come up with an Indy-specific package, suggesting rear spoiler and underbody adjustments.
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“We’ve got nothing to lose, truthfully,” he said.
In 18 Brickyard 400 starts, Hamlin has placed third on four occasions, most recently in 2025.
The Brickyard 400 discussion begins about 6 minutes in:
Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NASCAR Cup driver Denny Hamlin addresses the lack of passing during 2026 Brickyard 400
