Denny Hamlin asserts the NASCAR playoff format is “delegitimizing the regular season”
Denny Hamlin has given his verdict on the playoff format, amidst the controversies following Joey Logano’s title win.
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Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)
The 2024 NASCAR Cup season ended with the upset championship triumph of Team Penske Racing’s Joey Logano. But not everyone was impressed with win, as many felt the No:22 team securing the title despite having a poor regular season, compared to other drivers who has been consistent throughout the year couldn’t even make it into the finale.
Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has discussed the controversy via his podcast, the Actions Detrimental. He pointed out that NASCAR reported plans to tweak playoff format after the sudden title win. The No:11 Toyota driver recalled how the predicted the chaos if Logano was to win the 2024 title.
We know we’re going to have Phoenix in the championship race next year. NASCAR has stated that the playoffs are here to stay. It’s interesting though that they left the window open to, ‘But we could tweak.’ And what does that mean? Because I don’t know what’s going on in their minds. Certainly, we said on this podcast, what did we say if Joey Logano won the championship…
Denny Hamlin said via Actions Detrimental.
While further talking on the point, Hamlin pointed out that he would have been okay seeing either Ryan Blaney or Joey Logano winning the championship. He then asked NASCAR that the format is delegitimizing the regular season.
And there has been. For right or wrong, I will say this, you’ve got to give Joey Logano due because he, in my mind, he executed the best that day, and I would have been fine with a 22 or 12 champion on that day. So, Steve [Letarte] that’s my question is that, what it seems as though this format is doing is delegitimizing the regular season.
Denny Hamlin added.
Denny Hamlin shot down the claims of Penske sandbagging the whole season
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver also talked about claims regarding the Penske sandbagging the whole season. He doesn’t believe this accusation and pointed out that the Ford won the championship legally, shutting down cheating claims.
Nobody would have speed and not show it throughout the season [or] in the playoffs because of the bonus points… We have seen these things come down to a point here, a point there. But NASCAR inspects the car throughout the year. I don’t know how much they inspect during the playoffs, but I don’t know. You gotta think everything is straight up and legit unless they tell us otherwise.
Denny Hamlin said.
The future Hall of Famer does have a point, as sandbagging in the regular season is just a waste of time and resources. The Penske garage knows the secret to peak at the right time, taking advantage of the playoff format and some in the community is just misinterpreting.
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Justin P Joy
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