Denny Hamlin Exposes Who Will Benefit from New NASCAR Championship Format

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has shared his thoughts on how the championship format is going to change the sport.

Denny Hamlin Exposes Who Will Benefit from New NASCAR Championship Format

Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart (Via IMAGO)

The 2026 NASCAR Cup season will mark start of a new era in the sport, as the sport is set to go back to original Chase for the championship format. Win and you’re in system is over, as the 16 best drivers from the 26 regular season races will fight it out for the Bill France Cup in the last 10 races of the season. Many expects this to the start of potential return to full-season format.

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin, who played an important role in convincing NASCAR to end the playoffs, shared his thoughts via Performance Racing Network. He pointed out that the elite drivers, who regularly fight for wins, will be the front runners for the title and there will not be any wild card contenders unlike the old format.

It’s the same guys that are favorites every single week and it’s because those are the ones that are up front every week. That’s who this format benefits. I don’t think you’ll see any crazy wild cards go on runs in the final 10. If you couldn’t go on a run in 26 races, you’re not going to go on a run more than likely in the final 10.

Denny Hamlin said via Performance Racing Network.

Further talking about the point, the 23XI Racing co-owner pointed out that there are four or five teams in the garage that is capable of winning the championship under the new format. The eliminations will also be natural and it will make the storylines for the NASCAR race weekends more exciting.

So, I think it really benefits four or five teams and others, it at least allows them to kind of move, slide up and down the standings as they perform. There are no eliminations, they’ll just happen organically and naturally and we’re going to be talking about the guys that are up front each and every week.

Denny Hamlin added.

He then shifted his focus on how the championship is going to be better and more credible with the new format. The veteran also expects the title fight to last till the season finale at Homestead Miami and pointed out that if someone won before the finale, that means the teams was a different level that rest of the garage.

From a pure standpoint, it’s better. It’s going to be better. I still think the champion will be crowned at Homestead as people want it to be. But if they lock into a championship before that, I mean, that clearly means they were head and shoulders above everyone else and deserve it.

Denny Hamlin asserted.

Denny Hamlin confirms 23XI Racing has signed new charter deal

In the same interview, the JGR veteran was asked the status of the new NASCAR charter deal, that gives the team permeant charters after the lawsuit settlement. He pointed out that his team 23XI Racing has signed the new deal, as the teams got the contract a week ago to review and sign.

Denny Hamlin (via Imago)
Denny Hamlin (via Imago)

Denny Hamlin also confirmed today that 23XI Racing had signed the new charter agreement. Teams got the new version this week and have through next week to sign.

Bob Pockrass reported via X.

The signature on the contract proves the teams got exactly what they are asking for with the new deal. The future of the sport seems to be on the right track yet again, after years of uncertainty with charter and playoffs.

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