Denny Hamlin Calls Out “Mediocre” Drivers Who Prefer Current Playoffs

Denny Hamlin just lit up the offseason by calling out what he calls mediocre drivers who want to keep NASCAR’s current playoff format, and the ripple effect is already shaking up the garage. Between a pointed podcast rant, a not-so-subtle omission of Joey Logano’s name, and Logano debuting a completely new look. Whether you agree with Denny or not, he’s forcing the sport to confront a real question: who actually benefits from a one-race, winner-take-all finale?

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• Why did Hamlin list Byron, Larson, Blaney, Reddick, Elliott, and himself as drivers who deserve a bigger sample size, and who was he calling mediocre by default?
• Was omitting Joey Logano from that list an accident or a calculated jab at a three-time champion who thrives under the exact format Hamlin wants to kill?
• How do Logano’s stats in the Next Gen era stack up against Blaney’s, and why does the Penske hierarchy look so upside down right now?
• And what may Joey’s sudden buzz-cut reveal say about his mindset headed into 2026, especially with Hamlin unexpectedly praising the look online?

Hamlin and Logano have clashed before, but this week felt like a fresh spark. From debates about championships to debates about hairlines, the tension is real, the stakes are high, and the 2026 format change could tilt the balance for good. If consistency starts to matter again, does Joey rise, fall, or stay stuck behind his teammate? A lot of layers here, and the numbers, the tone, and the timing make this one of the most fascinating offseason storylines yet. Check out the full video to see how deep this rift really goes and what it could mean for next season’s title fight.

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