The 2025 NASCAR Cup season reignited strong debate over the playoff format, as Denny Hamlin voiced pointed criticism against the current system in the aftermath of losing the title to Kyle Larson during the one-race finale. Speaking out about his Denny Hamlin playoff format criticism, Hamlin has called out those in support of the existing approach, claiming it fails to honor the sport’s best and instead rewards inconsistency.
Calls to Change the Current Championship Format Grow Louder
This season, dissatisfaction with the one-race championship finale has grown across the NASCAR community, with many drivers and fans alike favoring a return to a format that reflects consistency over the whole season. Denny Hamlin, who was a leading contender all year, lost the championship to Kyle Larson in a single, decisive race, despite often having the fastest car—a result he attributes to flaws in the setup of the playoffs.
Hamlin, alongside fellow top drivers William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick, has advocated for a more robust way to determine NASCAR’s champion, believing a single race is too narrow a measure of season-long excellence. He emphasized this viewpoint by saying:
For people like myself, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick… I think we’re all for bigger sample sizes. If I didn’t list your name, of course you love a 1-race format. It rewards mediocrity for a bulk of the season.
Denny Hamlin said via Actions Detrimental podcast.
Hamlin’s stance has underscored a key fault line within the sport—between those who believe in greater consistency over many races versus those who prefer the drama and unpredictability of a winner-takes-all showdown. As voices like Hamlin’s gain attention, the pressure to revisit the playoff system grows.
Hamlin Targets Critics and Defends Season-Long Consistency
Denny Hamlin has not hesitated to address drivers who support the current format, notably singling out Joey Logano, a three-time champion known to endorse the status quo. Hamlin argued that only those who have suffered last-minute defeats can comprehend the frustration, noting how some drivers benefit from a reset system and fortune in a single event. He made his feelings clear, stating:
You’ve never had one ripped out of your hands. You’ve taken out of people’s hands but you don’t know what it’s like to dominate a season when all of a sudden, the format resets the score on you and you lose in overtime. Those are the people who were able to steal from others.
Denny Hamlin added.
This clash between drivers over the legitimacy of the current system further illustrates a rift—between veterans who have lost championships by misfortune and those who see their accomplishments validated by the playoff system. Hamlin argued that “mediocre people” are those asking for less rigorous measures, naming elite racers such as Chase Elliott as examples of those let down by inconsistency not being rewarded.
Mediocre people want as small sample size as possible. The greats want a larger size…There might be others, I want to be careful… Can’t forget Chase Elliott, he is one of the best grinding out throughout the season.
Denny Hamlin asserted.
This view, echoed by various top-level racers, suggests a unity among the sport’s most successful competitors in seeking a championship that reflects performance over an entire season, not just one day.
A Trying Season for Denny Hamlin Off and On the Track
The intensity behind Hamlin’s critique is also shaped by a challenging year, both on the asphalt and away from racing. With personal matters such as his father’s illness and celebrating a new baby, as well as navigating the ongoing charter lawsuit between his team, 23XI Racing, and NASCAR, Hamlin has confronted a demanding schedule on multiple fronts in 2025.
Juggling driving duties for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) with team ownership, Hamlin emphasized the toll the past year has taken on him:
This has been quite the year. I mean, I’m so looking forward to January 1st. Just because, I mean, obviously this year, I’m on track, off track, ownership, new baby, dad, race for championship, lawsuit. It just was, it was taxing for sure. I don’t think I could redo 2025 again. No way.
Denny Hamlin said.
Despite these obstacles, Hamlin delivered a near-flawless season, battling for the Daytona 500 and staying in title contention almost to the very end. The convergence of family challenges, legal battles, and championship pursuits has left Hamlin reflective and vocal about the kind of recognition and format that he and other elite racers believe NASCAR truly needs.
Tensions Point Toward Possible System Changes
With Hamlin’s Denny Hamlin playoff format criticism at the forefront, and support from high-profile peers such as Chase Elliott, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Larson, the call for a return to consistency-based championship calculations has never been clearer. The perspectives of veterans who have experienced both narrow wins and bitter losses under the current system highlight deep divisions in the community.
The outcome of the ongoing charter dispute involving 23XI Racing, along with uncertainty around possible NASCAR playoff revisions, means that the coming seasons could bring significant changes. For many, the hope is a championship that once again values season-long success over the chance events of a single final race. As the next calendar year approaches, all eyes will be on whether NASCAR leadership is ready to address these concerns and reshape the path to the championship.
