Denny Hamlin recently questioned whether RCR gets the same technical info from Chevy as HMS does. He raised it in the context of the Chevy Talladega strategy and directly challenged the notion that all major Chevy teams have access to the same information.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo we really honestly believe like that RCR is getting the same information as Hendrick from Chevy?\u201d Hamlin said on the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast.<\/p>\n
The JGR driver maintained that Hendrick has more sway within the Chevrolet NASCAR operation than any other organization within it. And on top of that, the chain of command starts with the driver, goes through the crew chief and the team, up to Chevrolet, and then obviously through to Rick Hendrick\u2019s organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to put Hendrick at the top, then below that is Chevrolet, and below that is Trackhouse. Below that is the crew chief and then below that is the driver \u2014 that is the totem pole in which (Chastain) is answering to. They have no choice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why in my mind, I don\u2019t believe anyone will ever be Tier One with Chevy other than Hendrick because you control it. And so, as long as you control it, you control how that\u00a0 information gets shared,\u201d Hamlin added.<\/p>\n
The No. 11 Toyota driver had previously referred to RCR and Trackhouse as Tier 1 Chevys when talking about Brad Keselowski\u2019s future. In that same conversation, he admitted he didn\u2019t know all the benefits of being a Tier 1 organization. But he said there\u2019s a clear difference between having Tier 1 status and the level of influence and access he feels Hendrick has.<\/p>\n
Talladega pushed Denny Hamlin to question Chevrolet\u2019s internal structure<\/p>\n
Talladega race drove the discussion, where Kyle Larson came into the weekend as Chevrolet\u2019s best chance at the championship. Danielle Trotta reported prior to the race that Chevrolet wanted their teams to assist Larson in staying in track position near the end of the stages so as to maximize his points.<\/p>\n
Hamlin defended that reporting after fans and industry figures challenged it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know it. People just didn\u2019t like to see it in writing,\u201d he said<\/a>.<\/p>\n He used Ross Chastain as an example of why a Chevrolet driver could be under pressure to support Larson. Chastain ultimately answered to Trackhouse Racing and Chevrolet, so he doesn\u2019t have much freedom to ignore a manufacturer\u2019s directive when the championship comes down to the final races.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat choice does Ross have? He has to answer to these people that employ him,\u201d Hamlin said. \u201cHe\u2019s doing what he\u2019s told. So as a driver, you\u2019re the lowest on the totem pole when it comes to team orders or manufacturer orders.\u201d<\/p>\n