Denny Hamlin, the veteran driver who currently tops the NASCAR Cup Series standings, has voiced strong criticism of a recent rule change that wipes out the regular season championship just as he appears poised to claim it.
NASCAR announced that the traditional regular season title will no longer be awarded, meaning the points advantage traditionally enjoyed by the season‑long leader will be erased before the playoffs begin. The move, which takes effect for the final ten races, reshapes the points calculus and reduces the margin that Hamlin has been building.
Under the new system, race wins are rewarded with 55 points, and a driver can collect up to 76 points by winning both stages and the race itself. The postseason will feature the top 16 drivers, but their starting positions will be staggered based on regular‑season performance rather than a pure points lead.
Hamlin, who has already secured four victories this season and enjoys an average finish of 3.64 on non‑drafting oval tracks, remains confident that his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota can still contend for the ultimate prize despite the altered format.
The Controversy Unfolds
The upcoming races at Darlington and Homestead‑Miami will be pivotal, as the new points structure will be tested on tracks where Hamlin has historically performed well.
Richard Petty, a legend of the sport, has also weighed in, noting that while the sport evolves, timing of such changes is crucial for drivers who have invested heavily in a season’s worth of work.
NASCAR officials have defended the decision, citing the need for a more race‑win focused championship, but the backlash from drivers and fans alike suggests the debate is far from settled.