Denny Hamlin says most NASCAR O'Reilly Series drivers pay for rides
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 19, 2026, 10:30 PM
Last updated Oct 19, 2026
On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin stated that eight out of 10 drivers in NASCAR's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series pay for their rides. Discussing Sheldon Creed's upcoming move to Sam Hunt Racing, Hamlin explained this financial setup during a segment aired on October 7. He emphasized the fragile nature of the current financial in the series, noting that without a charter system, teams face greater financial vulnerability. As the series approaches the Talladega race on October 24 and the championship at Homestead-Miami on November 7, the financial pressures on drivers and teams are set to continue, with more insight expected into Creed's new deal. His remarks reflect wider concerns about driver compensation and the economics of the sport.
- •Hamlin claims 80% of drivers pay to compete in the series
- •Creed transitions to Sam Hunt Racing for 2027
- •Financial dynamics affect driver choices and team stability
- •O'Reilly Series lacks a charter system affecting revenues
- •Upcoming races include Talladega on October 24 and Homestead-Miami on November 7
- 10:30 PMYahoo Sports — Denny Hamlin Says 4 Out of 5 NASCAR O’Reilly Series Drivers Are Paying for Their Seats
"Denny Hamlin says eight of every 10 drivers in NASCAR's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series are paying for their rides. He said it on the Oct. 7 episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, about 44 minutes in, during a segment on Sheldon Creed's move to Sam Hunt Racing. "The unfortunate truth is that 80% of those drivers in the Saturday races are paying some sum of money to the team owner to drive those cars," Hamlin said. He didn't name a driver or a team, didn't put a dollar figure on "some sum," and d
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