"I kind of understand NASCAR’s decision": Denny Hamlin justifies Richmond potentially being stripped of a second race

Denny Hamlin recently shared his thoughts on Richmond potentially losing it's second date on the NASCAR calendar. The current rumors and reports suggest that Hamlin's home race would become a one spot on next season's calendar with it's replacement likely being an international trip to Mexico City.

However, Hamlin understands why taking out Richmond in place of another race makes sense for the sport.

"I kind of understand NASCAR’s decision because … if the fans turned out here and we sold out every race, then there would be two races. They’re going to do things that the fans want to participate in. What’s crazy is that it’s always one of our top five [ratings] markets that watch us on TV, but they don’t actually come to the racetrack itself," Hamlin recently said, as per RACER.

Denny Hamlin remarked that sometimes race tracks have to go through a cycle and hoped Richmond losing it's second date would be "a learning moment" for the track.

He further expressed hopes of Richmond reinvigorating itself as one of the top short tracks on the schedule. But still, Hamlin claimed it "certainly is a shame" that Richmond would go down to one-week.

Yet he added that the audience at the track has "made it warranted."

Denny Hamlin will start from pole in his home race

Already having registered three wins this season so far, Denny Hamlin won the pole position for the Richmond race on Sunday. The #11 driver was victorious in front of his home crowd earlier this year, and for the second Richmond date, he ensured a spot to start from which he could get his second win at the track in a year.

However, he admitted after winning the pole that he was surprised with the result because of his pace in the prior sessions.

"Certainly unexpected given the practice and first-round qualifying we had. We were the slowest car in the first round, but the team made great adjustments and that’s the bottom line to it. Was I surprised it held up? Yes, I was," Hamlin said, as per NASCAR.

He claimed that his crew chief Chris Gabehart told him that they'd still have a shot at the pole if they backed up in the first round. Hamlin mentioned that the #11 team made the right adjustments, which they would also have to make in the race on Sunday.

The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran further expressed his fondness of winning in front of his home fans as he claimed that winning five races at Richmond is exciting, and all five of his wins have been different. He remarked that racing and performing well 20 years into his career in front of the home crowd felt good.

In the end, Richmond's home-town boy and pole sitter Denny Hamlin said they are headed in the right direction.