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Denny Hamlin Slams NASCAR’s Playoff System: Is Mediocrity Winning Over Consistency

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
February 11, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Denny Hamlin Slams NASCAR’s Playoff System: Is Mediocrity Winning Over Consistency

Aug 13, 2022; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) during practice and qualifying for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

The 2025 NASCAR season is about to kick off, but instead of hype for the Daytona 500, there’s a lingering frustration that won’t go away—the playoff format is still broken, and Denny Hamlin is leading the charge against it.

After Joey Logano won the 2024 Cup Series title with the worst average finish by a champion in history (17.11), the NASCAR world erupted. Fans, analysts, and drivers questioned whether the current system rewards the best driver or just the hottest driver at the right time.

And if you ask Denny Hamlin? The system isn’t just flawed—it’s outright rewarding mediocrity over consistency.

Hamlin’s Case: The Numbers Don’t Lie

Hamlin, who finished 8th in the 2024 standings despite having a better season-long performance than both Penske drivers in the Championship 4, pointed out the glaring inconsistencies in the system.

📊 Average finishes of the 2024 “true” best drivers:
✅ Christopher Bell (12.8) – 3 wins ❌ NOT in the Championship 4
✅ Kyle Larson (12.9) – 6 wins ❌ NOT in the Championship 4
✅ Denny Hamlin (13.9) – 3 wins, 12 Top 5s ❌ NOT in the Championship 4

📊 Average finishes of the actual Championship 4:
🏆 Joey Logano (17.11) – 4 wins ✅ CHAMPION
🏆 Ryan Blaney (15.2) – 4 wins ✅ CHAMPIONSHIP 4

The 2023 and 2024 seasons weren’t flukes either. In 2023, Blaney’s 14.1 average finish was nowhere near William Byron’s 11.0, yet he still won the title.

Even in 2022, when the playoff system seemed to work better, Hamlin missed out on the final four because of Ross Chastain’s now-illegal wall ride at Martinsville.

Hamlin’s Fix: Double the Playoff Points & Cut the Field to 12

Hamlin isn’t just complaining—he’s got a bold plan to fix the playoff problem:

🚨 Double the playoff points heading into the postseason – Reward regular-season dominance by making every hard-earned point matter more.
🚨 Cut the playoff field from 16 to 12 – Eliminate “lucky winners” who sneak into the playoffs with one fuel-mileage or superspeedway win.
🚨 Ensure the final race tests consistency – The championship shouldn’t be decided by a driver who was 20th all season, suddenly getting hot for three races.

Should NASCAR Fix This? Or Is Hamlin Just Salty?

Some critics argue that Hamlin is just bitter after missing out on the final four again. But the stats back up his frustration—in a sport that values every lap, every pass, and every point over 36 races, should a driver with an average finish of 17.11 really be champion?

📢 Debate Time: Does NASCAR’s Playoff System Need an Overhaul?

✅ Yes, Hamlin is right – The system should reward season-long excellence, not a lucky hot streak in the final races.
❌ No, the playoffs create drama – NASCAR thrives on “Game 7” moments, and this system keeps fans engaged until the final lap of the season.

What’s your take? Is NASCAR’s playoff format rewarding mediocrity, or is it the best way to crown a champion?

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