Denny Hamlin didn’t hold back when discussing NASCAR’s television product, openly criticizing Fox Sports for its caution-period coverage. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver stressed that the current broadcast strategy is damaging the fan viewing experience.
How TV Commercials Impact NASCAR Caution Lengths
Speaking on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast following the Martinsville Speedway race weekend, Hamlin expressed frustration over lengthy yellow-flag periods. He argued that television commercial demands are stretching caution far beyond what feels natural for both drivers and viewers.
Hamlin said the issue became obvious while watching the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series broadcast, where extended caution laps disrupted the race’s rhythm.
Hamlin explained, “I’m telling you my experience as a watcher. It was a single-car wreck. Like, no debris on the track, there’s no cleanup to be had, and it is just yellow. And I’m like, choose already.
“So, everyone’s got to run a business, okay? Everyone has a boss. I will say that if Fox feels like this is what they’ve got to do to get the return on investment, ‘Sorry, we’ve got to run our hour of commercials,’ and it’s happening at some point, then we’ve got what we’ve got.”
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According to Hamlin, the problem isn’t necessarily race control but the broadcast structure. He explained that once a stage break caution begins, television broadcasts shift into extended commercials before opening with pit road coverage. This creates lengthy downtime before racing resumes.
“They get their commercials in all five minutes of it. It seems like a while. Then they open pit road, we do that, and then it’s a reset, and we’ve got to then line up and do it. I couldn’t believe it. It was so long,” he shared.
Hamlin suggested that NASCAR and Fox explore alternatives, such as side-by-side coverage during pit stops or quicker recaps after commercial breaks, rather than holding the field under yellow. His core argument is that television logistics are now dictating race pacing.
“We’re under caution too long,” Hamlin said. “If TV has to catch pit stops live, then you’ve got to shorten commercials or find another solution.”
The Risk of Losing Fans During Long Yellow Flags
Hamlin also argued that modern audiences expect constant action, warning that 10- to 15-minute cautions risk losing viewers entirely, especially in an era of endless entertainment options.
“It’s hurting the watching experience, because I’m bouncing between basketball and Xfinity or, ‘God dang it, O’Reilly’s that’s going to take a while.’ And I find myself it’s hard for me to stay on the NASCAR channel,” said Hamlin.
Despite the criticism, Hamlin acknowledged that there was no easy fix. However, he personally would prefer some commercials during green-flag runs rather than extended yellows.
“I think you take a little green away. You know why? Because I feel like we’re in a world where you’ve got to get that dopamine hit every couple of minutes. And I’m telling you, a 15-minute caution can really drag down your feeling,” Hamlin explained.
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“If there was an easy fix then NASCAR would have done it already. But there is no easy fix,” Hamlin added. “TV has to get their commercials in. It’s the only way the series gets the money that supports this whole thing.”
For now, all Hamlin can do is hope NASCAR continues searching for a middle ground that preserves both broadcast value and competitive racing.
