Denny Hamlin criticizes NASCAR tournament decision after a dramatic turn in the first round of the In-Season Challenge, which saw top-seeded drivers, including himself, eliminated at Atlanta’s EchoPark Speedway. The sudden exits raised immediate questions about the tournament’s structure and its impact on competitors and fans alike.
Early Shocks Shake Up NASCAR In-Season Challenge
The opening round of NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge featured several surprising outcomes, highlighted by Chase Elliott’s eventful win at Atlanta’s EchoPark Speedway. Denny Hamlin, who started as the No. 1 seed in a 32-driver field, was eliminated after a wreck, allowing Ty Dillon to advance in his place. Notably, all top seeds in each quadrant were knocked out, stripping high-profile contenders of their shot at the $1 million top prize.
Hamlin’s Concerns Over Tournament Format and Venue
Hamlin had previously raised concerns about the structure of the tournament, specifically targeting the use of Atlanta Motor Speedway as the starting venue. Speaking out on his Actions Detrimentals podcast, he questioned the wisdom of launching the challenge at such an unpredictable track, especially given its notorious reputation for upsets.
“This is the unpredictability of putting us on a speedway race,”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
“It’s why I’m so against it being in the playoffs. It’s why I’m so against it being the start of our bracket.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
The unexpected results meant that, apart from Elliott, none of Sunday’s advancing drivers had won a race in the current season. Hamlin likened the upsets to the excitement of March Madness but argued that too many surprises can diminish engagement among NASCAR fans.
“When your bracket is absolutely smashed after Round 1, do you really care about Round 2, 3, 4, 5? No,”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
“So you’re going to be less interested in the second round, third round, because your bracket is already trashed.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Calls for Change and Reflections on Competition
Reflecting on his early exit, Hamlin acknowledged that race outcomes cannot be scripted, drawing a humorous comparison to professional wrestling, yet he maintained his stance for a venue change next season.
“This isn’t WWE, so you can’t just write a script,”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
“But I’m saying, it’s probably not a good idea next year to start this thing at Atlanta Motor Speedway.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
After securing his own victory, Ty Dillon channeled some of Hamlin’s signature bravado, telling Hamlin’s supporters he had ousted their favorite driver. Although the moment stung, Hamlin responded sportingly, indicating respect for Dillon’s triumph and his right to celebrate.
“Give him his moment, people, He beat me.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
What’s Next in the In-Season Challenge
The next stage of the In-Season Challenge will be held at the Chicago Street Race, with fans and drivers now looking forward to see who can take advantage of the reshuffled competition. With favorites like Denny Hamlin no longer in contention, the road to the championship and its lucrative prize appears more unpredictable than ever, heightening both excitement and uncertainty within the field.
This shake-up has underscored Hamlin’s point about the risks involved with the current tournament format. As the event continues, questions remain about whether NASCAR organizers will take his criticisms into account and potentially re-examine how and where future tournaments begin.
