Denny Hamlin voiced strong criticism of the recent NASCAR changes to the All-Star Race, especially the format planned for 2026 at Dover Motor Speedway. The NASCAR veteran’s main issue centers on how the new approach affects the event’s character, intensifying the ongoing debate over the direction of the mid-season exhibition.
NASCAR’s New Format and Driver Concerns
The latest changes to the All-Star Race will introduce a three-segment structure at Dover Motor Speedway in 2026. All participating cars will compete in the first two segments, while the final segment will consist of 26 drivers. This group will include winners from the Cup races in 2025 and 2026, previous full-time Cup champions, a driver voted by fans, and those with the fewest combined finishing positions across the opening segments. This revised approach was introduced with the hope of enhancing the competitive element at the unique Dover venue.
Denny Hamlin, voicing his objection on his Actions Detrimental podcast, questioned the integrity of the All-Star Race under the new system. He raised the point that if every driver is allowed to start, it undermines the selective, competitive spirit that the event is known for. Suggesting that the final segment could feel indistinguishable from a regular season event rather than an exclusive showcase, he stated,
“The problem is the venue. I am, of course, very against Dover losing a points race, but then you ended up having this racetrack because we were so gung-ho on giving them what they want.”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver.
Questions About the Venue and Field Size
Hamlin emphasized that Dover Motor Speedway, a one-mile racetrack, is not traditionally seen as suitable for an All-Star exhibition, especially with a full field at the start. He argued that the decision reflects a willingness by NASCAR to accommodate the venue at the cost of the race’s exclusivity and tradition. Critiquing the altered field size and the lack of signature differentiation, Hamlin remarked,
“Nobody would pick Dover for an All-Star race. And so hopefully they just fix it for next year and put us back on like an All-Star type of track. But that ain’t it. We gotta make things harder, not easier. Why in the hell are 36 cars going to start the All-Star race? I’m sure there’s a rhyme or reason,”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver.
He also noted that the special challenge of the Dover track is better suited to longer green-flag stretches, essential for action and drama. In his view, the new, shorter segments undermine the event’s legacy, and that no format could transform a Dover race into a true All-Star spectacle.
Community Reactions and Future Implications
While many competing drivers have remained silent on the format shift, Hamlin has been outspoken both on his podcast and on social media. He used pointed humor online, referencing the distribution of participation awards to non-qualifying drivers at the event’s midpoint:
“Drivers who fail to qualify will also be presented participation metals on the front stretch after the conclusion of stage 2,”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver.
The revised All-Star Race is set to take place on May 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET. As the sport prepares for this reimagined format, all eyes will be on whether the broader NASCAR community—and, crucially, the fans—will embrace or reject these dramatic changes. The debate stirred by Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR criticism reflects deeper questions about balancing tradition and innovation in one of racing’s signature events.
Drivers who fail to qualify will also be presented participation metals on the front stretch after the conclusion of stage 2. https://t.co/kHQVrsDmoR
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) February 25, 2026
