Denny Hamlin has openly shared his reaction to the newly announced 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race format, which will unfold this weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Speaking candidly on the recent episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast, the veteran driver weighed in on NASCAR’s decision, acknowledging the adjustments while expressing a measured acceptance. Hamlin remarked that while the fresh format incorporates an element that could be considered a “gimmick,” it is manageable, making clear that preparation and strategy would be key for teams moving forward.
“With the All-Star format, it’s okay,”
Denny Hamlin stated, directly addressing concerns from fans and insiders.
“Does it have a gimmick in there? Yeah, but it’s not super gimmicky. I hear some people talk about, ‘Oh, this is just all we need is NASCAR to open up Pandora’s box. They can throw a caution whenever they want.’ I mean, it could be worse. We know it’s coming, so you might as well just plan for it as a team, that if we don’t have a caution between Lap 175 and 220, they are going to throw a caution. So you might as well just bank on that.”
At the center of Denny Hamlin’s comments is NASCAR’s introduction of the “option promoter’s caution”—a procedural yellow flag that can occur if no natural caution takes place between certain laps. Specifically, if there is no caution between Lap 175 and Lap 220, NASCAR will call for a caution before Lap 220, ensuring a suspenseful late-race reset. However, if an on-track incident already brings out a caution after Lap 200, the planned yellow flag will not be used. Hamlin’s approach emphasizes planning for this inevitability, suggesting teams be proactive in their race strategies rather than hoping circumstances will negate the rule.
Significant changes to the race format do not stop there. The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race is extending from the traditional 200 laps—used over the previous two years—to a challenging 250 laps. Additionally, drivers will face a competition break after roughly the first 100 laps, allowing for shifts in tactics and momentum early in the event. The extended distance is anticipated to test drivers’ endurance and provide fans with even more on-track action.
Adding a new level of rivalry, NASCAR is introducing a Manufacturer Showdown pitting Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota against each other. Teams will include all drivers from the lowest represented manufacturer plus an equal number from the other two, based on qualifying positions, creating opportunities for intense competition and strategy among the manufacturers. John Probst, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer, described the event as
“one of the most fun and innovative”
on the calendar, promising an exciting spectacle at the historic Wilkesboro track.
Notably, Denny Hamlin will be among the featured drivers, joined by names like Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, and others. The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race is scheduled to air on FS1 on Sunday, May 18, at 8 p.m. ET, drawing the eyes of the racing world to a weekend set for dramatic developments.
As teams finalize their preparations in light of these format changes, Denny Hamlin’s pragmatic outlook encapsulates the challenge facing competitors: adapt quickly and make the most of every rule. With the event promising strategy, unpredictability, and heightened manufacturer rivalries, the outcome could have significant implications for drivers’ legacies and NASCAR’s ongoing pursuit of innovation.
