NASCAR drivers are impacted more by hits in the first season of Next Gen cars

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The jolts are more jarring, the impacts feel harder and the pain hangs on longer for NASCAR drivers in the first season of the Next Gen car.

Stories of sore backs, headaches and damaged ribs that don’t heal as quickly as they did in the past are more common heading into the opener of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs on Sunday at Darlington Raceway.

Just ask Denny Hamlin, part of massive wreck late at Daytona a week ago. He pulled out of the Xfinity event Saturday at Darlington due to continuing soreness in his neck, ribs and back.

Chris Buescher (17), Daniel Suarez (99), Denny Hamlin (11), Justin Haley (31), Ty Dillon (42), Aric Almirola (10) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (47) are involved in a multi-car accident between turns 1 and 2 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Dow Graham)

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"It feels like I got beat up in a bar and someone was kicking me in the ribs while I was on the ground," Hamlin said of the wreck Thursday. "The whole right side, it just felt smashed."

The issue of driver safety has taken center stage since Kurt Busch’s qualifying crash at Pocono. He suffered a concussion and missed the final six regular-season races.

Busch’s condition led him to surrender his playoff spot, and his 23XI co-owner Hamlin is unsure when he will return. Hamlin said Busch had "plateaued" in his recovery.

"He got to about 80% (recovered) and stayed there," Hamlin said. "I think the rest is going to take a little bit of time."

The Next Gen car was rolled out this season to provide a durable, competitive car that can