Denny Hamlin has openly criticized NASCAR’s current championship structure, arguing that the system fails to adequately reward consistent drivers across the season. Calls for adjustments have gained momentum recently, with speculation that the Denny Hamlin NASCAR championship format debate might soon usher in sweeping changes for the sport’s top prize.
Growing Criticism of the Playoff System
Piloting the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin has repeatedly voiced dissatisfaction with the playoff approach NASCAR currently uses to crown its champion. Both Hamlin and other drivers maintain that the present format, which prioritizes late-season performance and sudden elimination rounds, does not truly reward excellence over the full schedule. The main grievance is that a single poor result in the postseason can nullify a driver’s season-long efforts, effectively punishing consistent performers while benefitting those who might shine sporadically.
Insider Jeff Gluck recently revealed that NASCAR is actively considering abandoning the playoff concept and returning to a more traditional points-based championship, reminiscent of earlier eras. This possibility has generated considerable discussion among teams and fans alike.
Nostalgia for the Old Points System
The classic “Winston Cup” scoring approach sits at the center of discussions about fairness and accuracy in determining a champion. Under that system, the driver who accumulated the most points over 36 races—based solely on race finishes—claimed the title. With no resets or elimination rounds, every race mattered and mistakes or bad luck had a cumulative, not catastrophic, effect.
Some fans, nostalgic for the past, make ongoing comparisons by tracking how the current standings would look if the old method was still in place. The account @NWCS_Standings continues this tradition online, fueling debate about the excitement and legitimacy that the old system brought to NASCAR’s premier series.
Many argue that the current playoff model encourages drivers to relax after a single win, as that result usually guarantees a spot in the postseason, making regular season consistency far less critical. Moreover, as seen with Chase Elliott’s near elimination after just his second DNF at Bristol, the playoff system can seem unfair when one setback overshadows a previously stellar season.
Hamlin’s Public Push for Reform
Hamlin’s candid perspective, shared on his Actions Detrimental podcast, adds significant weight to calls for reform. Though he stops short of confirming a change, his words strongly suggest a return to season-long points accumulation could be imminent.
“I just hope that it gets simplified,”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin’s concerns revolve around rewarding drivers who excel week in and week out, not just those who shine during carefully timed playoff runs. He voiced his belief that the value for season-long achievement should be much greater than a handful of bonus points.
“Whatever it is, I just want guys who show excellence every week to be rewarded for that and not have to fight every three weeks for the reset to take away their advantage that they have built,”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
He went on to indicate that NASCAR officials are aware of the widespread frustration and are devising solutions that might satisfy various stakeholders.
“Surely there is a format out there that can give a little bit to everyone, and I think it’s possible. From what I’ve seen, what I’ve seen proposed, we’re on the right track, and it’s certainly going to be better than what we have,”
Denny Hamlin, Driver
Potential Shift to Reward Consistent Performers
Although NASCAR has not yet officially outlined proposed changes, the persistent remarks from Hamlin suggest that rewarding those with high performance across an entire season is a priority. Jeff Gluck’s reporting further points to top officials weighing the advantages of returning to a format aligned with the original 36-race points season. This throwback idea has rekindled excitement among those who feel the older system led to more legitimate and compelling championship showdowns.
For performers like Hamlin and other drivers consistently in title contention, a move back to a full-season points battle could put the emphasis on regular finishes and minimize the randomness that can come with playoff resets. It also means that a single race calamity would not entirely erase months of hard work and success.
What This Means for NASCAR’s Future
The Denny Hamlin NASCAR championship format debate has made clear that longstanding frustrations about the playoff system are coming to a head. Between Hamlin’s persistent calls for change, Jeff Gluck’s insights into internal discussions, and growing fan support for the Winston Cup structure, NASCAR faces increasing pressure to address the concerns of drivers, teams, and spectators. If NASCAR follows through on these signals, fans may soon witness a significant transformation in how champions are determined—one that could reflect the “Good Old Days” while better honoring season-long excellence and competition.
Denny Hamlin backed up what was said in @jeff_gluck 's report on the latest meeting of NASCAR's Playoff Committee during Actions Detrimental today. In-between talking about what he'd like to see, he said he thinks the committee is "on the right track" towards a simplified… pic.twitter.com/1ynyPOauwp
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) September 22, 2025
