Denny Hamlin states “winning on Friday, or Saturday is better than running 25th on Sunday” 

Denny Hamlin recently opined that winning the Craftsman Truck Series or Xfinity Series races is better than trailing in the Cup Series. With this, Hamlin emphasized the importance of winning the races on Friday and Saturday, which comparatively receive less limelight than that of Sunday's Cup Series race.

The NASCAR Cup Series is by far the most important and most followed category of the sport, with Xfinity and Truck Series following closely. However, the importance of racing in the Cup Series often eclipses the performance in the remaining two categories.

Denny Hamlin on his "Actions Detrimental" podcast, said,

"I am definitely of the opinion that winning on Friday or Saturday, is better than running 25th on Sunday."

"To me, it's not close, I don't think it's close. Just because you race on Sunday doesn't mean it's good for you. Just keep winning on Trucks and Xfinity and then that will work all itself out after that," he further added.

Amid this, Hamlin's statement could come as a real impetus for drivers who are delivering week in and week out. The #11 driver himself has been a driver in all three categories and boasts enormous experience to talk about.

In his long NASCAR career, Denny Hamlin has 665 Cup Series appearances in 20 years (with 54 wins and 41 poles), 164 Xfinity Series appearances in 19 years (with 18 wins and 21 races), and 16 races in nine races (with two wins and one pole.)

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Denny Hamlin has advice for Xfinity star Sam Mayer

NASCAR Xfinity Series Hy-Vee Perks 250: Sam Mayer, driver of the #1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane. Courtesy: Getty

Sam Mayer has been one of the brightest stars of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series. With the recent win in Iowa Speedway last weekend, Mayer took his race-winning tally to two, and six in his overall Xfinity career.

Mayer is also one of the leading candidates to make his Cup Series breakthrough in the near future. However, Denny Hamlin, the co-owner of the 23XI Racing believes the #1 JR Motorsport driver should take "a little bit more time" before he can think of his debut. Speaking of the same, Denny Hamlin said in the "Actions Detrimental" podcast,

"I think that Sam Mayer just needs a little bit more time to get a little more refined but certainly he should be a prospect in the long run to race on Sundays. The good news is he is young enough; he's got tonnes of time and I wouldn't rush it because I think getting in the right situation matters." [at 42:20]

In terms of statistics, Sam Mayer has 95 Xfinity Series race appearances in four years, and 14 Truck Series runs in three years with a victory.