Denny Hamlin does sound like a “bitter a****** that never won,” but he is right about expanding the championship rounds
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Denny Hamlin ( Images via IMAGO/USA Network)
The NASCAR playoff, or the Chase for the championship, was introduced in 2004 to make the races more competitive and entertaining. The NASCAR garage had mixed feelings about implementing the new system, as it preferred wins over consistency. The season finale deciding the season champion also prompted a situation where the best driver of the season might not win the cup.
The “Matt Kenseth rule” was implemented the next year of Kenseth’s championship win with just one race win the whole year; the elimination rounds constrain the best drivers from progressing. This is highlighted by the fact that it’s just like the cars; in NASCAR, the tracks also play a significant role in deciding the winner. Specific teams and certain manufacturers often dominate certain races.
JGR veteran and considered to be one of the greats ever not to win the championship, Denny Hamlin, has been an advocate of an extended crown round. Like Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr, he wants more than a three-hour race to decide that season’s champion.
“I think Dale Jr. covered it perfectly. Should one season come down to this three-hour window?. Listen, all of the champions have been worthy, nonetheless, and I’m the last person that should comment on this because I’ve never won one, and I’ll just sound like some bitter a****** that never won one,” Denny Hamlin said.
Also read: Live Fast Motorsports joins Chevy garage for 2023 season
What is the solution offered by Denny Hamlin, and will it work?
The 23X1 Racing co-owner wants the season finale to be a three-race round where the driver who impresses in all three races will win the crown. The increase in sample size will help the teams have a fair shot at the title and will also give the best drivers a chance to redeem themselves if they make a mistake.
Hamlin’s plan is based on his personal experience, as he missed out on the championship in 2020 just because the JGR cars were not good enough at the final tracks compared to others teams. He said, “I knew we weren’t gonna win. We just didn’t have the speed that the other guys had,”.
Denny Hamlin claims that the 3-race finale won’t cause a drop in viewership as he doesn’t expect anyone to win the first two races and clinch the title before the third title. There is a flaw in that assumption of Hamlin’s conclusion as though the probability is less; there is a chance that a driver could with consecutive races. This will make the final race of the season irrelevant.
Hamlin’s proposed solution has its flaws and positives. But a single-season finale’s entertainment value is more than a three-round race. But NASCAR has to hold the final races in tracks that offer each team and manufacturer the same shot at winning the race.
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Justin P Joy
(4951 Articles Published)