🛑 3 MINS AGO: Denny Hamlin SLAMS CEO After NASCAR’s Recent Introduction of the Open Exemption Provisional Rule! (Because Apparently, NASCAR Wasn’t Dramatic Enough)

Breaking News: The world of NASCAR just got a whole lot more… interesting. Apparently, someone in the NASCAR head office decided things weren’t chaotic enough, so they’ve unveiled a brand new rule guaranteed to make traditionalists clutch their pearls and casual fans go, “Huh?” It’s called the Open Exemption Provisional, and it’s basically NASCAR’s version of “Hey, look at us!”

This groundbreaking (read: potentially bonkers) rule, set to debut at the 2025 Daytona 500, will allow world-class drivers from other racing disciplines to just waltz into NASCAR Cup Series races without, you know, bothering with pesky things like qualifying. Because who needs qualifying when you can have… drama?

And wouldn’t you know it, Denny Hamlin, noted NASCAR driver and connoisseur of fine whine, is not amused. He’s come out swinging (metaphorically, of course, we assume) against this new rule, calling it a blatant, desperate attempt by NASCAR to grab headlines and boost those all-important TV ratings. Because clearly, nothing says “legitimate sporting competition” like letting random drivers jump the line.

Hamlin’s main gripe? Well, besides the general principle of fairness, it seems he’s worried about the implications for the sport’s competitive landscape. Which is a valid concern, unless you believe that NASCAR is primarily entertainment, and the actual racing is just a… suggestion.

One can almost picture the NASCAR executives brainstorming this idea. “How can we get more viewers?” someone probably said. “Let’s let a Formula 1 driver race against Bubba Wallace!” someone else probably replied. “Brilliant!” they all probably shouted, high-fiving each other while simultaneously setting fire to the rule book.

Now, we’re not saying this rule is a bad idea. Okay, maybe we are a little. But it’s definitely going to be… something. Whether that “something” is “exciting” or “utterly ridiculous” remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: the 2025 Daytona 500 is shaping up to be a spectacle. Whether it’s a good spectacle or a train wreck spectacle is anyone’s guess. But hey, at least it’ll be something. And isn’t that what NASCAR is all about? Probably.