Denny Hamlin frustrated with NASCAR charter negotiations, suggest teams could skip races if no new agreement

“Obviously, a correct sharing of the revenue is one that is big right now,” Hamlin said, via SpeedFreaks. “There is three stakeholders in this sport: The tracks, the teams and NASCAR. To be quite honest, two of those stakeholders make nine-figure profits a year. And one stakeholder loses seven-figure profits per year. So, there’s clearly a disconnect. And I wish that the fans were more informed of how offset this deal is and unfair it is to the teams. That’s an issue. We’ve asked to have a sharing of any future revenue, so we’re not gonna dig in anyone’s pockets from NASCAR from anything that they’ve made or established in the past. Anything from this point forward, we’ve asked for a third of that and they’ve adamantly said no.

“We’re willing to give extra rights up to get that. They’ve said no. And then just governance, it’s certain protections that the teams need in case of transfer of ownership. There are a lot of things that are key pillars. And this is the first time I’m saying it publicly because I think we’ve reached a boiling point where it needs to be fixed. Certainly, we’re dealing with one individual who won’t come out publicly and tell his story of why he won’t give these things to the teams that have invested heavily in putting the show on each and every week.”

Denny Hamlin disputes recent charter agreement reports from NASCAR

So, how close are NASCAR and the teams to coming to a new agreement? “Very close,” if you believe NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell. Despite O’Donnell’s confidence, team owners such as Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski have been quick to say that the two sides remain far apart.

“There’s still the four key elements that I haven’t seen NASCAR brought up. And what our ask has been they haven’t addressed those, or haven’t conceded to any of those. So, I think it’s positive messaging more than it’s actually real,” Hamlin recently said, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports.

As for what could happen if no new agreement is agreed to after this season, Hamlin suggested that teams could opt to skip out on participating in races “that pay less.”

“Yeah, the end of this year [the current agreement ends] and then there would be no charters,” Hamlin said. “It would be ignorant of fans to say well that’s great, no charters. Well then, we just wouldn’t show up when we don’t need to. The Clash, we won’t show up at that. The All-Star Race, wouldn’t show up at that. Maybe there’s some races that pay less, we just won’t show up to those. It’s just not financially good. I’m sure they’ll be owners that won’t like that I’m saying this publicly. But I’ve reached the point of frustration that it’s boiling over.”