Denny Hamlin, well known for speaking candidly about NASCAR decisions, has expressed strong approval for the new championship format revealed for NASCAR’s top three series. The changes, introduced ahead of the 2024 season, will influence how drivers are crowned champion in the Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and Craftsman Truck Series, with the focus shifting toward consistent performance and a return to a structure resembling the early days of the original Chase format.
Under this revamped system, the decade-long strategy that put heavy weight on race wins and playoff-specific points is being set aside. The playoff rounds and Championship 4 have been eliminated, and not every race winner in the regular season is guaranteed a playoff—now relabeled as “The Chase,” echoing terminology from 2004 through 2013. Instead, the emphasis will be on rewarding consistent frontrunners and strong competitors throughout the year—an adjustment that has found an enthusiastic supporter in Hamlin.
At a recent preseason exhibition held at Bowman Gray Stadium, Hamlin, who has often come close to winning titles under both prior systems, underscored his support for NASCAR’s decision. Now occupying multiple key positions—full-time driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside NBA great Michael Jordan—Hamlin has a broad perspective on how rule changes affect the series, its teams, and its fans.
“Seems like the bulk of the offseason was, from what I could see, NASCAR undoing some of the direction they had gone the last decade or so,”
Denny Hamlin, Driver, said.
“I feel like The Chase is a very good compromise for all the stakeholders.”
Hamlin, once a frequent critic, is now characterizing the move as a positive and necessary evolution for the sport.
“And I certainly feel like, if anything, it’s a benefit for your top competitors who are the challengers week in and week out,”
Denny Hamlin, Driver, added, highlighting his belief that the change will reward those who consistently excel each weekend.
The New Chase Structure’s Impact on Points and Competitors
The newly reimagined Chase format draws inspiration from the one that first appeared in 2004 but brings its own modern twists. In the original version, only 10 drivers qualified, with a margin of just five points separating each position heading into the decisive 10 playoff races. Now, up to 16 playoff drivers will be included, and the gap between the top and 16th-place competitor will be much more dramatic—the 16th-place driver will begin The Chase trailing the leader by a significant 100 points.
Unlike the rules in place for the past dozen years, where race victories and stage wins during the regular season played a significant role in postseason seeding, the current format pivots to a model where each point accumulated throughout the season is more meaningful. Drivers now benefit from enhanced incentives for weekly performance, as the playoff head-start extends further for frontrunners than in the original Chase era.
“It will reward them during the regular season and reward them in the playoffs, giving them a little bit of a head start,”
Denny Hamlin, Driver, explained.
“Certainly more of a head start than what The Chase had back years ago,”
he added, underlining the change in how points differential will impact the start of the postseason.
This change is expected to further motivate drivers to perform at their best during the regular season, since the advantage they carry into the playoff stretch could prove decisive. As Hamlin put it,
“While it is the old Chase, you actually have more motivation to perform well in the regular season, because the gap it will give you to start that 10 races is a little more than previous,”
Denny Hamlin, Driver, said.
“I do feel like it’s a really good balance of everything,”
he concluded, suggesting optimism for fairer recognition of season-long excellence.
What the Future Holds for NASCAR Competitors and Fans
The revised championship format marks a major development for NASCAR, its competitors, and fans alike, aiming to address concerns raised over the past decade about how champions are determined and how much value is placed on race wins versus overall consistency. With bigger points swings and an increased focus on regular season standings, top drivers, teams, and co-owners—such as Denny Hamlin and his partner Michael Jordan—will face new strategic challenges as they adapt to this system.
Supporters are hopeful the changes will refresh competition at all levels, providing added motivation for both established stars and emerging contenders. As the 2024 season unfolds, observers will be watching closely to assess whether the Chase’s return truly delivers a fairer, more exciting championship battle for all involved in stock-car racing.
