Denny Hamlin just dropped a bombshell criticism of fellow NASCAR drivers, calling out competitors who defend the current winner-take-all championship format as “mediocre.” The longtime Joe Gibbs Racing driver made pointed comments on his Actions Detrimental podcast, arguing that drivers who had dominant seasons but lost in overtime prefer moving to a multi-race playoff structure, while those who benefited from the one-race gamble want it to stay. 

The most striking part? Hamlin listed William Byron, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, and Chase Elliott as allies — but notably omitted three-time champion Joey Logano.

The Exact Quote: Hamlin Doesn’t Hold Back

Denny Hamlin laid it out directly on his podcast:

“For people like myself, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, and a couple others, we’re all for a bigger sample size. I think if I didn’t list your name, of course you love the one race playoff because it rewards mediocrity for the bulk of the season. You don’t know what it’s like to dominate a season and then all of a sudden the format keeps resetting the score on you and finally you lose in overtime. I think mediocre people want the smallest sample size possible,” Hamlin said.

That’s fighting words in the NASCAR community. Hamlin is essentially saying that drivers who aren’t dominant throughout the season benefit from a single-race finale that can erase months of underperformance.

The Subtext: A Shot at Joey Logano?

Here’s where it gets interesting. The most notable name not mentioned? Joey Logano.

Logano has been one of the most vocal defenders of the current championship format — and for good reason. He’s won three Cup Series titles under it (2018, 2020, 2022).

By omitting Logano’s name while calling out “mediocre” drivers, Hamlin appeared to be taking a deliberate shot at the three-time champion — essentially saying Logano defends the format to protect his legacy.

Context: Why Hamlin is Frustrated

After Hamlin’s dominant 2025 season performance — leading 208 laps at Phoenix in the championship finale — he lost the title on a late caution and pit strategy gamble. Kyle Larson’s two-tire call worked perfectly, and Hamlin finished sixth, effectively ending his championship hopes.

For Hamlin, a driver who has finished runner-up five times in his career, the sting of losing a championship you dominated all day is visceral and raw.

“You don’t know what it’s like to dominate a season and then all of a sudden the format keeps resetting the score on you,” Hamlin said — a clear reference to his 2025 Phoenix heartbreak.

Is Logano Really “Mediocre”? The Numbers Tell a Story

While Hamlin didn’t explicitly call Logano mediocre, the implication stung the NASCAR community because it questions whether Logano’s three championships represent true dominance.

The data is complicated:

• Last four years: Tied 5th in wins (NextGen era)
• Average finish: 9th (respectable but not elite)
• Top-5 finishes: 8th best (good, not great)
• Laps led: 6th most (decent)

But here’s the shocking part: Ryan Blaney, Logano’s teammate, outperforms him in nearly every statistical category over the same span.

For a three-time champion with Hall of Fame crew chief Paul Wolfe, Logano should dominate his teammates — but he doesn’t. That’s the real controversy Hamlin’s comments exposed.

The 2026 Format Implications: This Matters More Than You Think

The new 2026 championship format — likely extending to 10 races instead of the current structure — will reward consistency over a single-race gamble.​

Hamlin’s argument: If you dominated all season but lost on one race, you deserved the championship. The new format addresses this.

Logano’s counter-argument (implied): Championships should be unpredictable. One-race finales create drama and excitement.

For NASCAR fans in the NASCAR Next Gen Car era, this philosophical split defines 2026’s championship battle.

The Drama Continues: Hamlin Softens Stance on Logano

In a surprising twist, when Logano debuted a new shaved head look at a construction groundbreaking ceremony, Hamlin responded on social media: “Unpopular opinion. I like the look.”.

It appears the rift between Hamlin and Logano isn’t permanent — at least over hair.

But over championship philosophy? That battle rages on.