Kyle Busch recently took a strong stance against Denny Hamlin regarding NASCAR’s playoff format and its impact on their careers, effectively reopening a two-decade-old debate within the sport. The controversy centers on the current “Win and In” playoff system, which many fans and drivers find contentious, especially after Joey Logano’s 2024 championship win, which some described as unsatisfying due to the playoff structure rather than the driver himself.
Denny Hamlin has been openly critical of the playoff format, particularly disliking that the championship boils down to a single race after a long season of competition. On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin expressed frustration that luck plays too large a role in deciding the champion, noting that any one of the 33 other drivers on the track can ruin a contender’s day. He advocates for a multi-race championship round, suggesting a three-race finale to better challenge drivers across different tracks and reduce the randomness of a single race deciding the title.
Kyle Busch, who has won two Cup Series championships under the current playoff system, has a more nuanced view. While he does not oppose the “Win and In” format outright, he shares Hamlin’s dislike for a single-race championship decider. Busch prefers the classic NASCAR points system that rewards consistency over the entire season rather than a playoff-style knockout. He commented on the idea of a three or four-race championship round, acknowledging it sounds interesting but pointing out that one bad race in such a short series could eliminate a driver unfairly. Busch expressed a nostalgic preference for the pre-2004 era when the championship was decided by points accumulated throughout the season, which many considered fairer though less dramatic.
Hamlin’s criticism is intensified by his personal experience, as he has yet to secure a Cup Series championship despite being a consistent contender for nearly 20 years. The playoff format, in his view, has been a barrier to his success, with a single poor race often ending his championship hopes. Busch’s comments, favoring a return to the old points system, indirectly highlight Hamlin’s long-standing frustration, effectively “rubbing salt on his 20-year-long wounds.”
Moreover, Hamlin opposes recent rumors about expanding the championship race to include five drivers instead of four, calling it a “terrible idea” that would dilute the prestige of winning NASCAR’s biggest trophy. He argues for making the playoffs harder, not easier, to preserve the sport’s competitive integrity.
In summary, the debate between Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin over NASCAR’s playoff format reflects a broader tension in the sport between tradition and entertainment-driven changes. Hamlin pushes for a tougher, multi-race championship finale to reduce luck’s influence, while Busch, though not against the current system, advocates for a return to the classic season-long points championship to reward consistency. This disagreement underscores the challenges NASCAR faces in balancing fairness, excitement, and the desires of its drivers and fans.
