The Next Gen car has ignited a heated off-track debate, dividing the NASCAR garage into clear camps. Supporters like Kyle Petty praise its role in modernizing the sport, while critics such as Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. point out flaws in racing quality and driver experience. Petty, with his deep roots in NASCAR, has emerged as the most outspoken defender, now defending his original statements about the same.

This split mirrors historical rifts, like the 2007 rollout of the Car of Tomorrow, designed for safety after Dale Earnhardt’s fatal crash but criticized by drivers for poor handling and aesthetics that altered competitive dynamics. Denny Hamlin drew parallels, stating, “I believe that the Next Gen car is reaching hate levels of the COT with the wing. From fans, I think they’

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