Denny Hamlin, a leading voice in the NASCAR Cup Series, has publicly urged for significant changes to the NASCAR playoffs at Charlotte, demanding a return to the oval rather than keeping the current road course format. His calls for Denny Hamlin NASCAR playoff changes came after a race weekend overshadowed by midfield drama between Joey Logano and Ross Chastain, rather than the dominant performance and win from Shane van Gisbergen.
Community Discontent Over Current Playoff Format
The recent Charlotte race sparked widespread frustration among both the NASCAR community and Hamlin, who argued that the event lacked the excitement fans expect. While Shane van Gisbergen captured headlines with a decisive victory, it was the lackluster action in the middle of the pack that drew criticism. As a veteran with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), Hamlin voiced concerns about the predictability and diminished entertainment value of using the road course for playoff races.
On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin drew a sharp comparison between the road course race and the annual Coca-Cola 600, a highly anticipated event held on the Charlotte oval. He argued that the mile-and-a-half oval consistently offers thrilling competition, setting it apart from the current playoff setup.
“If this is on the oval, can you tell me who’s going to win on the (Charlotte) oval? I don’t think so. The [Coca-Cola] 600 was widely entertaining. The mile-and-a-half product with this car is amazing. I’m fairly certain that [the ROVAL] is on the schedule simply because it’s SMI’s (Speedway Motorsports) date.”
— Denny Hamlin, via Actions Detrimental
Hamlin Argues for the Return to Racing on the Oval
Hamlin contended that the only reason the Roval configuration remains in NASCAR’s postseason is to accommodate Speedway Motorsports’ playoff race commitments. Advocating for a shift, he maintained that reverting to the traditional oval at Charlotte would reignite fan enthusiasm, drastically improve attendance, and boost television ratings for the 2026 season if announced in advance.
Fan sentiment, he believes, leans toward returning to the more exciting and unpredictable format provided by the oval rather than maintaining the course current setup, which many consider redundant given the proliferation of road course races on the calendar.
“The right thing to do is to put us on the oval. …I beleive that if SMI and or NASCAR wants an instant bump in ratings and in ticket sales, in 2026, they announce, ‘We’re going to be racing in Charlotte in October, but we’re going to be racing left turns.’ I think your fan sentiment would go up.”
— Denny Hamlin
Fan Preferences and Hamlin’s Critique of Popular Arguments
A major ongoing debate within NASCAR circles concerns the structure of the season and playoff system. Some proponents of the current format claim it keeps audiences engaged throughout the season. However, Hamlin refuted this idea, referencing data collected by NASCAR that suggests otherwise.
He pointed to fan council surveys conducted by the sport’s governing body, which reveal that most fans prioritize race winners over championship points battles—contradicting the common argument that early title clinches would cause fans to lose interest before the season finale.
“There’s been a million surveys, but the fans have absolutely spoken in their fan council survey that NASCAR sends out that they don’t care about points as much as they care about who wins a particular race. They made that abundantly clear”
— Denny Hamlin
Addressing the notion that a champion crowned before the final race would hurt viewership and attendance, Hamlin dismissed this as unfounded. He emphasized that the majority of fans attend and tune in to see star drivers, especially popular figures like Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson—both notable members of Hendrick Motorsports—and others compete, regardless of championship implications.
“So, the whole argument that some of the shills are making is that, ‘Oh, well you don’t want someone clinching early, people will tune out.’ That is absolutely not true. People will tune in to watch Chase [Elliott], and [Kyle] Larson, and the popular drivers.”
— Denny Hamlin
Looking Ahead: Impact on NASCAR’s Future
Hamlin’s fierce criticism resonated with many in the sport, as both established veterans and everyday race fans have echoed similar sentiments about NASCAR’s direction. His remarks come at a pivotal time, with the series striving to balance tradition, entertainment, and business obligations. The debate over Charlotte’s playoff race configuration could have far-reaching effects for drivers, organizations like Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, and event promoters such as Speedway Motorsports (SMI).
Hamlin’s arguments also draw a parallel with championship formats used in other major series such as Formula 1 and IndyCar, each known for honoring consistent excellence. Whether NASCAR officials and track owners will adapt their strategy based on this feedback, and possibly deliver Denny Hamlin NASCAR playoff changes in upcoming seasons, remains to be seen.
With the current system under heightened scrutiny from drivers, race teams, and loyal supporters, the push for reforms like the return to the Charlotte oval is likely to stay at the forefront of conversation as the 2026 season approaches and playoff scheduling decisions are made.
