Denny Hamlin, a renowned NASCAR veteran and co-owner of 23XI Racing, has voiced strong support for NASCAR’s overhaul of the Chase format, which is set to debut in the 2026 season. Sharing his perspective in a recent PRNlive interview, Hamlin highlighted that the new approach will reward consistent high performance throughout the year, aligning with the principles of fair competition.
NASCAR’s Announced Changes to the Chase Structure
NASCAR revealed the new Chase format at its Charlotte headquarters on January 12, signaling a strategic departure from the elimination-style playoffs. The revised system will see drivers ranked by points across 26 regular-season races, after which they will advance to a 10-race Chase. Unlike previous iterations, this updated format eliminates both race-by-race eliminations and points resets, allowing for a steady accumulation of results over time. For the 2026 season, winning a race will earn a driver 55 points, but single-race victories no longer guarantee playoff entry.
Hamlin Stresses the Importance of Consistency
During his interview, Hamlin emphasized how the changes shift emphasis toward teams and drivers who excel week after week, elevating the role of sustained speed and precise execution.
“It’s the same guys that are favorites every single week, and it is because those are the ones who are up front every week. That’s what this format benefits from.”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner, 23XI Racing
He also pointed out that while a few elite teams will stand out, others will now have the opportunity to move up or down the standings based on their performance throughout the season rather than banking everything on one strong run.
“I really think it will benefit 4 or 5 teams, and others at least allow them to move or slide up and down the standings as they perform.”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner, 23XI Racing
With this system, the overall NASCAR Chase format now reflects performance across an entire season, where points are the overriding factor, and sustained results matter more than isolated moments.
Emphasis on Reduced Surprises and Fairer Outcomes
Hamlin believes the removal of eliminations will diminish the likelihood of surprise championship contenders emerging late based solely on a single breakout performance. In the past, the elimination rounds sometimes allowed one-off success to overshadow season-long achievement for drivers.
“I don’t think you’ll see any crazy wild cards go on runs in the final 10. If they couldn’t run 26 races, you’re not going to be running, more than likely, in the final ten.”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner, 23XI Racing
He added that instead of forced cutoffs, position changes in the standings will reflect the ebb and flow of competitive racing, enabling the drivers consistently near the front each week to remain in the title hunt.
“There are no eliminations; they’ll just happen organically and naturally. We’re going to be talking about the guys that are up front each week.”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner, 23XI Racing
NASCAR officials have stated the intent is to reduce the extreme playoff strategies that emerged under the previous Chase system, encouraging teams to aim for strong finishes every race instead of relying on bold gambles for survival.
The Championship Will Still Be Decided at Homestead–Miami
Hamlin reassured fans of the lasting significance of the championship race at Homestead–Miami Speedway, asserting that while the season finale remains crucial, a dominant team may clinch the title before the final lap if they’ve outperformed everyone else during the Chase.
“Well, from a pure standpoint, it’s better. It is going to be better. I still think that the champion will be crowned at Homestead, as people want it to be. But if they get, if they lock in the championship before, that clearly means they were head and shoulders above everyone else and deserve it.”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner, 23XI Racing
The new system keeps the prestige of claiming a championship at Homestead, but also makes it more likely that the title race reflects the efforts made across the entire Chase. Ideas from teams, drivers, and fans helped shape this revised Chase, with a focus on integrity and competition.
Looking Ahead to NASCAR’s 2026 Season
With Denny Hamlin’s endorsement and insight, the NASCAR community anticipates a more balanced and performance-driven playoff system in 2026. This revamped Denny Hamlin NASCAR Chase format promises to heighten the stakes for consistent performers while reducing the randomness brought by prior elimination rounds. As the sport prepares for a new era, drivers, teams, and fans will be closely watching how these changes reshape the chase for the championship.
"From a pure standpoint, it's better." @dennyhamlin weighs in on NASCAR's return to The Chase ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/YLgcStIWAd
— PRN (@PRNlive) January 22, 2026
