Denny Hamlin Brands the New All-Star Race Format a “Swing and Miss”

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has shared his thoughts on the new NASCAR All-Star racing event format.

Denny Hamlin Brands the New All-Star Race Format a “Swing and Miss”

Denny Hamlin (Via @JoeGibbsRacing/X)

One of the major changes made it to the 2026 NASCAR schedule was the All-Star race. After North Wilkesboro got a point race date at the cost of Dover, the exhibition race slot was given to the latter. Fans were not impressed with the change and now the controversy has intensified with the new format announcement, which in the words Denny Hamlin is a big miss.

All 36 racers are eligible for the event, that was broken down to three segments. Thie eliminate the open race and the fans vote entry. It will be 350 laps race, in which the first two segments will be of 75 laps and the last one of 200 laps. The changes kill excitement a short, exciting race and it against the spirit of the event that all cars are allowed to race.

I said something on social media about how everyone participates, you get a medal. We gotta make things harder, not easier. This is a society problem, like, why in the hell are 36 cars gonna start the All-Star Race? It should be [a points race]. I don’t know, I’m sure there’s a rhyme and reason. Listen, Dover is not gonna be compelling if it’s a short run, so they had to put it in long runs, like, that’s the only way the track races kind of good. So, they were in a box by the venue.

Denny Hamlin said via Actions Detrimental.

The only acceptable decisions in the fact that for the final segment only 26 racers will be eligible. 2025 and 2026 race winners get automatic entry alongside former champions. Rest of the grid for the final segment for the $1 million fight will be determined by the combined results of the first two segments. But Denny Hamlin still thinks it a swing and miss decision from the sport.

I don’t think there was any format they could formulate to make it this All-Star type of thing and the next thing you know, you got a mile track that if you only have 17, 18 cars starting, this thing’s gonna get spread out and be a snoozer, potentially. This was the first swing and miss, no doubt about it, that NASCAR’s had this season.

Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin reveals a major problem with Dover as the All-Star race venue  

One major reason behind this assertion from the JGR veteran is the fact that Dover hasn’t been a great venue for long races in the Next-Gen era. The fans might most probably experience a snoozefest, when they should be witnessing a short and intense race with the all start event.

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

The problem is the venue. I am, of course, very against Dover losing a points race but then you ended up having this racetrack because we were so hung on giving them what they want. ‘OK, Wilkesboro, we’re gonna make that a points race. Dover, you’re the odd man out. Well, that’s gotta be our All-Star Race now.’

Denny Hamlin said.

The 23XI Racing co-owner is right to make the assertion as at the end of the day an exhibition event is all about entertainment not compensating a track for them loosing the Cup race date. NASCAR should have gone for another renovation project like North Wilkesboro, by bringing back another forgotten track.

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