The talk in NASCAR exploded as soon as the checkered flag waved at Phoenix. And Denny Hamlin was at the heart of it all. After leading deep into the finale, only to watch a late caution flip the entire championship on its head, Hamlin walked out of the desert carrying the weight of another title that slipped through his fingers. Fans, analysts, and everyone else in the community blamed the format.

However, now weeks after the race, Denny Hamlin, himself, has pointed out what exactly the issue is with NASCAR. And for that, he looked back decades into NASCAR history, drawing an unexpected parallel with none other than Dale Earnhardt, and laid the groundwork for a message that goes far beyond his personal pain.

Hamlin compares his Phoenix loss to Dale Earnhardt’s Daytona win

Denny Hamlin discussed how legendary driver Dale Earnhardt’s famous Daytona 500 triumph might not have occurred under the current race format in a powerful statement highlighting NASCAR’s transition toward entertainment. “This wasn’t a format issue. Um, this was an entertainment issue,” Hamlin said on the Actions Detrimental podcast. He went on to say, “That race didn’t have a green-white checkered. Dale Earnhardt likely would have never won a Daytona 500 had we had green white checkers.” 

Hamlin is referring to the 1998 Daytona 500, which Dale Earnhardt won after 20 years of trying. If you might remember, that race ended on the scheduled 200th lap (under white and yellow flags). Hamlin was indirectly pointing to a racing incident and a pivotal caution just a couple of laps before the race’s scheduled ending (a similar situation which Hamlin faced in his own race), after which the race concluded under a slow caution instead of a dramatic overtime.

This gave Dale Earnhardt a win, which wouldn’t have likely happened (like it did for Hamlin at Phoenix) had the race gone into overtime. The ‘end-under-caution’ rules have been changed to extend races into overtime, as it leads to dramatic and entertaining finishes with green-white-checkered flags.

However, Hamlin didn’t stop there. He also cautioned that this leap toward entertainment has alienated longtime purists. This has led to a significant decline in viewership, affecting the sport overall. Just this year alone, NASCAR has seen a 14% drop in television ratings, with the championship race at Phoenix Raceway drawing just 2.77 million viewers on NBC, down from the 2.9 million.

That’s why Denny Hamlin said, “Just as a sport, obviously, we, over the last 15 years really took a jump towards entertainment. I think it did take its toll on some of the race fans and some of the purest of the sport over time.”

Hamlin’s analysis highlights the continuous discussion regarding NASCAR’s future course. Can the sport embrace entertainment to draw in new fans while retaining its fundamental authenticity? For drivers, teams, and the millions of people who watch NASCAR’s fast-paced action every season, the solution will determine the future.

Hamlin opens up about his 2026 plans

Even the most resilient veterans are forced to reconsider everything after the heartbreaking conclusion of Denny Hamlin’s 2025 season. Fans instantly questioned whether Hamlin was going to pull a Carl Edwards and walk away permanently after he came within inches of his long-awaited championship, only to watch it slip away in a late-race spin.

The assumption wasn’t baseless. Even Hamlin now acknowledges that in the days following Phoenix, he had little interest in racing. “Yeah, I mean, listen, I would have begged Joe to let me quit had I won that race. I would have. I would have, just because it would have been the perfect way for me to go out,” he revealed.

However, he claimed that Joe Gibbs Racing wasn’t prepared for that discussion. Before their seasoned anchor hands over the reins, the team needs additional time to develop a succession strategy and a transition timeline. Hamlin claims that all parties now understand his “lifeline,” but the door to immediate retirement would have slammed shut without the championship that slipped away.

As for 2026, NASCAR’s new playoff format actually plays a small role in nudging Hamlin back behind the wheel. The frustration is still fresh, but the reset helps. When asked if the revamped system makes it easier to keep going, Hamlin didn’t hesitate. “Very. Very,” he said.

But that doesn’t mean he’s ready to jump back in today. “The offseason is still so fresh. I want nothing to do with racing right now. I’ve got to get some more time.” In other words, Hamlin isn’t done yet. He just needs space, healing, and perhaps, for the first time in his career, a reset that finally works in his favor.