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Denny Hamlin Rips NASCAR’s Championship Format Changes—Says Expanding to Five Finalists Is “Watering It Down”

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
February 11, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Denny Hamlin Rips NASCAR’s Championship Format Changes—Says Expanding to Five Finalists Is “Watering It Down”

NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) sits in his car Saturday, July 30, 2022, during practice for the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Denny Hamlin isn’t holding back—again. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran and longtime critic of NASCAR’s playoff format has fired off against rumored changes to the Championship 4 format, which would expand the final race lineup to five drivers.

His message to NASCAR? “You’re going the wrong direction.”

Hamlin: “Stop Making It Easier, Make It Harder!”

During his latest Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin sounded off on the rumored changes, warning NASCAR not to dilute the championship battle further:

“I heard a dirty rumor and someone from NASCAR said it—that maybe we should expand the championship race to five drivers. Like no, you’re going the wrong direction. Please don’t do that. You’re just watering this down more. Stop making it easier, make it harder.”

According to Hamlin, adding another driver to the final showdown would reduce the prestige of making it to the championship race, rather than making it feel like a true battle of the sport’s elite.

“Don’t keep opening it up to more places, more spots, more opportunity. No, you gotta make it special.”

Hamlin’s frustration comes amid ongoing backlash to NASCAR’s playoff format, which has produced some questionable champions in recent years.

Does NASCAR’s Playoff System Reward the Right Drivers?

Hamlin isn’t alone in his concerns. Many fans and analysts have pointed out that NASCAR’s current “winner-take-all” finale devalues season-long consistency in favor of who gets hot at the right time.

🚨 2024 Champion (Name Removed for Accuracy) Stats
🏆 Won the title despite an average finish of 17.11—the worst in history for a champion.
🏆 Won three playoff races but was a non-factor for most of the season.

Meanwhile, drivers like Christopher Bell (12.8 avg. finish) and Kyle Larson (12.9 avg. finish) never made the Final Four—despite being arguably more consistent championship-caliber drivers.

Now, with NASCAR rumored to expand the final race lineup to five drivers, the concern is that the playoff system will become even more unpredictable—or in Hamlin’s words, less prestigious.

Hamlin Also Slams the “Open Exemption Provisional” Rule for 2025

If that wasn’t enough, Hamlin also blasted NASCAR’s new Open Exemption Provisional (OEP), which grants a free starting spot in a race to elite drivers from other series.

His take? “Make them earn it.”

“My opinion on this was that it was desperate. I didn’t like it. Just thought that you’re really doing everything you can to try to get a headline.”

Instead of handing out free passes, Hamlin believes that any driver who wants to race in NASCAR should have to qualify like everyone else.

“NASCAR is the highest form of motorsports in the U.S., so why can’t we act like the big boys and say, ‘If you wanna come over here and run with us, show me what you got. Go qualify in the race.’”

Hamlin Isn’t Alone—NASCAR Veterans Are Frustrated Too

Hamlin isn’t the only one calling out the rule changes. Other former drivers, including Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr., have also criticized the OEP rule.

One of the biggest frustrations? The rule doesn’t apply to ex-NASCAR champions, meaning guys like Jimmie Johnson wouldn’t be eligible—but a driver from IndyCar or Formula 1 would get a free spot.

“Why are we making exceptions for outsiders while shutting out our own legends?”

Final Verdict: NASCAR Is Playing With Fire

🚨 Expanding the Championship 4 to five drivers? It’s a move that could further devalue NASCAR’s playoff format.

🚨 Giving “elite” non-NASCAR drivers a free race entry? It’s a slap in the face to drivers who have to fight for every spot on the grid.

NASCAR is trying to evolve and attract new audiences, but if they keep making decisions like these, they might end up alienating the core fanbase that made the sport great in the first place.

📢 What do you think? Should NASCAR expand the Championship 4? Should outside drivers be given a free entry into races? Let’s debate.

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