At the NASCAR Cup Series race last Sunday in New Hampshire, Team Penske Racing disrupted Joe Gibbs Racing’s strong playoff streak as Ryan Blaney claimed his first win at the venue. This result highlights growing concerns from Denny Hamlin about Penske’s dominance and the need for a major overhaul in the NASCAR playoff system.
Team Penske has captured all three Cup titles during the Next-Gen era, with Joey Logano securing two championships and Ryan Blaney winning in 2024. Their superior performances in the playoffs, particularly at Phoenix—the season’s final racetrack—have left rivals like Hamlin struggling to keep pace. Following the Loudon race, Hamlin acknowledged on his podcast that Penske’s Ford teams have become nearly unbeatable when the championship is on the line.
Assessing Penske’s Advantage Over Competitors
Hamlin noted the rivals’ combination of a strong aerodynamic setup and superior race strategy as key factors in Penske’s success, giving them a clear edge during crucial events. Non-Penske supporters may hope that all three Penske drivers do not reach the final round of the playoffs, since overcoming their speed advantage otherwise appears nearly impossible without a fundamental change in approach.
“If you’re not a Penske fan, that’s probably what you should hope. … If we re-racked and ran tomorrow, we would have the same result. It’ll take an extensive overhauling of philosophy to get another two percent of grip out of our cars.”
— Denny Hamlin
Hamlin emphasized that their current methods are insufficient to match Team Penske’s pace, as adjustments alone will not close the gap. JGR competition director Chris Gabehart also predicted that the outcome at New Hampshire could be a strong indicator of what to expect at the season-ending Phoenix race, signaling a potential repeat scenario for fans.
“We’re not going to be able to tweak our way to the speed that the Penske cars had. If they carry that moving forward, we’re not going to be able to — we will not overcome that, if it correlates to Phoenix.”
— Denny Hamlin
Hamlin further connected the aerodynamic package and tire performance at Loudon to the one used at Phoenix, suggesting Penske’s advantage might persist through the playoffs and beyond.
“I think this is our Phoenix tire. I do know that this is the Phoenix aero package… So yeah, I think this could be deja vu.”
— Denny Hamlin, via Actions Detrimental podcast
Calls for a Significant NASCAR Playoff Format Reform
In addition to pointing out Penske’s dominance, Hamlin expressed support for upcoming changes to the NASCAR playoff structure. He stressed the importance of a system that rewards drivers who deliver consistent performances throughout the season, rather than resetting advantages between playoff rounds.
“Whatever it is, I just want guys who show excellence every week to be rewarded for that and not have to fight every three weeks for the reset to take away their advantage that they have built.”
— Denny Hamlin
Hamlin indicated that the direction of the ongoing discussions about revising the playoff format is promising. He believes both fans and drivers will benefit from the improvements and that the updated system will be an upgrade over the current one.
“Surely there is a format out there that can give a little bit to everyone, and I think it’s possible. From what I’ve seen, what I’ve seen proposed, we’re on the right track, and it’s certainly going to be better than what we have.”
— Denny Hamlin
These remarks come from a veteran with extensive experience at Joe Gibbs Racing and underscore the widespread sentiment within the NASCAR community seeking to modernize the postseason competition. Hamlin’s calls for reform highlight the pressing need to maintain a fair but competitive environment as Penske continues to set a high bar.
Implications for the Future of NASCAR Playoffs
The conversation about changing the playoff rules is critical, especially as Penske’s dominance has shifted the balance of power in the Next-Gen era. If the current format fails to address these challenges, similar patterns of dominance may persist, diminishing unpredictability and competition. Hamlin’s advocacy for rewarding consistency could result in a more dynamic and engaging championship battle.
For Joe Gibbs Racing and drivers like Denny Hamlin, overcoming Penske’s advantage may require not only strategic adjustments but also structural changes to how championship points and advantages are managed. Fans and stakeholders are watching closely to see how NASCAR officials implement any proposed modifications and how these changes will influence racing outcomes moving forward.
As the season progresses toward its finale, expectations are high that the playoff overhaul, if executed effectively, will foster a more balanced and thrilling competition. Hamlin’s perspective offers valuable insight into the challenges facing the sport and potential paths to leveling the field.
