CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver and co-owner of 23XI Racing, sharply criticized NASCAR’s playoff system on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast Monday, following the Brickyard 400 weekend. Hamlin, speaking from Charlotte, advocated for a format that prioritizes season-long consistency over what he called “fluke wins” determining the championship.
Denny Hamlin is over it.
Hamlin argued the current playoff structure, implemented in 2014, fails to reward sustained excellence. “A single race shouldn’t decide the champion,” he said, proposing a system that values regular-season performance to ensure the title reflects a driver’s full body of work. He pointed to the 2024 NASCAR Truck Series, where a driver won the championship without a single race victory, as evidence of the system’s flaws.
The veteran driver also expressed frustration with NASCAR’s media strategy, particularly its relationship with NBC Sports. Hamlin criticized NASCAR for granting NBC excessive negotiating power despite declining ratings during the football season, when the playoffs compete for viewers. “The playoffs aren’t solving the ratings problem,” Hamlin said, noting that falling regular-season attendance further highlights the sport’s challenges.
Hamlin’s comments follow a public spat last week with SiriusXM’s Larry McReynolds, who suggested a driver pushing for a return to the pre-2004 points system lacked a championship. Though McReynolds and co-host Danielle Trotta referenced NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Hamlin, who has never won a Cup Series title, took it personally.
On his podcast, he fired back, questioning McReynolds’ credentials and accusing him of spreading misinformation about 23XI Racing’s antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. The lawsuit, filed with Front Row Motorsports, alleges monopolistic practices, adding tension to Hamlin’s relationship with NASCAR’s brass in the ivory towers of Daytona and Charlotte.
On a positive note, fans are pumped for NBC Sports to return with commentating legend Leigh Diffey. Can Diffey’s majestic storytelling approach overcome the growing frustration with NBC’s desire for a playoff? Only time will tell.
Fans have rallied behind Hamlin, with many echoing his call for a fairer system. Social media posts reflect a sentiment that the playoffs dilute the sport’s competitive integrity, robbing fans of a season-long championship battle that could have been historic. One fan on X wrote, “The playoff format creates less excitement. Go back to full-season points!”
Through “Actions Detrimental,” Hamlin has reshaped his image from a polarizing figure to a champion for fans’ concerns. His candid advocacy resonates with loyal viewers who watch weekly, positioning him as a beacon of hope for reform. Yet, his outspokenness and the 23XI lawsuit have cast him as a new antagonist to NASCAR’s establishment, including Steve Phelps, Steve O’Donnell and Elton Sawyer.
As the playoffs loom, Hamlin’s push for change continues to spark debate, with fans and drivers alike watching closely.
NASCAR’s Kenny Wallace has been quite vocal on the topic on social media of late, in his “Coffee with Kenny” morning episodes. While Wallace agrees with fans that the format can be tweaked, he has riled up many with claims of being a shill for the sport.
What is the ideal NASCAR Championship format? Let us know in the comments below!
Do you want a full-season points championship, a 10-race Chase, the current format or something else?
What about making crown jewels worth double points and going back to a full-season format?
Best answer gets a feature on EasySportz next week.
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