Denny Hamlin might extend his career if NASCAR – Sports News
Denny Hamlin is NASCAR’s winningest non-champion in Cup Series historical past with 58 victories.
The Joe Gibbs Racing star has 4 wins within the 2025 common season. Still, NASCAR’s present playoff format has seen Hamlin routinely fall short, together with final 12 months, when he expressed confidence that he would lastly scoop the championship.
In 2024, Hamlin and Kyle Larson, two of NASCAR’s premium drivers, have been eradicated earlier than the Championship 4 race in Phoenix. Joey Logano received the race and recorded the bottom average end for a champion in a season. Hamlin has routinely criticized NASCAR’s playoff format and has referred to as for adjustments. The 44-year-old has now added additional criticism over NASCAR‘s playoff system, which crowns a champion in a one-off race.
He says the present format might decide drivers’ retirement timelines. Hamlin has referred to as for a “legit format” that might lengthen his retirement from NASCAR, as it would give him a better probability at being topped champion.
On his ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast, Hamlin mentioned: “We were supposed to have some sort of change this year. We didn’t. And as a person that now only has a couple years left, I told Jeff Gluck (NASCAR journalist) after I was like, if they get a legit format down, I might go longer because I feel like my chances would be better on a more typical sample size.”
NASCAR’s playoff system is designed to create pleasure round a season finale. It offers unpredictability. It’s totally different from that of different motorsport collection, like Formula 1, the place the drivers’ championship may be received a number of races earlier than the ultimate race of the season.
“The one race, I don’t know. My chances are 25 percent. If you go to 36 races, I think my chances are better than that,” Hamlin added. “Can you think about if we had a full season this 12 months proper now?” Hamlin then requested.
“It’s a barn burner. And it’s against, it’s with the best freaking teams. There’s no question about it. There’s no legitimizing those final four. Look at the numbers.
“These are the best 4. And so it’s simply it sucks that we’ve gotten behind the clock by some means and gotten behind the schedule, however I don’t. I shouldn’t be shocked.”
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NASCAR legend Mark Martin additionally agrees with Hamlin. Like Hamlin, Martin by no means received a championship however managed to win 40 races throughout his long career, incomes Hall of Fame recognition.
Martin says NASCAR’s playoffs are designed to maximise income and TV viewership. “I’m smart enough to know that the TV broadcast, NASCAR and the owners are all addicted to the revenue that they bring, whereas in my day, the revenue came directly from the fans from tickets sales and what not. It’s a different day and age, but I will shut up leading that charge when they tell us the truth,” the 66-year-old mentioned on the “Door Bumper Clear” podcast.
“I know what the truth is, but just come out and say, ‘Hey, we know the majority of the fans would rather see a full 36-race championship, but here’s why we’re not going to do it.’ Just do that and that’s enough for me.”
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