Denny Hamlin has shared his perspective on the revised 2025 NASCAR playoff schedule, expressing that the new arrangement better suits his strengths. After the regular season concludes, the first playoff round will begin at Darlington, followed by a race at WWT Raceway, and then at Bristol.

Last year, the opening playoff round started at Atlanta, then moved to Watkins Glen before concluding at Bristol. The 2025 schedule not only shifts these venues but also reorders several other tracks throughout the playoffs, creating a different competitive landscape.

Hamlin indicated that the updated schedule, especially the reduction in road course events, aligns more closely with his capabilities and increases his chances of success in the upcoming playoffs.

Road Courses Reduced, Favoring Hamlin’s Strengths

Denny Hamlin noted that last season’s playoffs included multiple road courses, but the new format limits road course racing in the first round to just one event, the ROVAL. This change replaces some road course races with flat track oval races, which are more suited to Hamlin’s driving style.

“It’s certainly more favorable to me than it was last year. We had multiple road courses in the playoffs last year, just one this year, replaced with a flat track oval. So I mean that’s certainly going to be more advantageous for me. Talladega being the last round, I don’t know. Certainly, I wouldn’t vote for it, even though that we’ve got just as good a shot at win as anyone, but certainly just deciding who’s in the final four… I’m not sure.” —Denny Hamlin, Driver

Hamlin expressed some skepticism about Talladega being the final race in the playoffs, despite believing his team has an equal chance to win there. He views the unpredictability at Talladega as a potential challenge in determining the final four competitors for the championship.

Team Strategy Focused on Accumulating Playoff Points

Regarding potential weaknesses, Hamlin identified road courses as an area where his team faces challenges. With only one road course race, the ROVAL, in the round of 12, Hamlin hopes to secure a couple of wins before reaching that point, allowing him to accumulate enough playoff points to reduce pressure during that race.

This approach is aimed at avoiding the need for an exceptional performance on the ROVAL, which he expects to be a difficult event for his team. Hamlin’s focus remains on earning points steadily through wins and consistent finishes to bolster his playoff standing.

Thoughts on Watkins Glen and Richmond’s Role in the Season

Before the race at Watkins Glen, Hamlin was asked how his team prioritizes wins versus points, especially with the regular season championship at stake. He explained that on tracks like Watkins Glen, the #11 team leans more toward accumulating points than risking everything to chase a win.

“I don’t know that we’re have winning speed. But I think it’s all circumstantial to kind of what everyone else does. So, I think it’s kind of fluid and you don’t really know until you make that one lap decision,” —Denny Hamlin, Driver

Discussing Richmond, a track where he has multiple victories, Hamlin described it as “so technical” and “a really hard track.” Despite his past success there, he maintains a deep respect for the challenge Richmond presents.

Hamlin considers Richmond a very important venue and hopes to secure another win there this season, believing that such a victory would provide a valuable boost heading into the playoffs.

Implications of the Schedule Shift for Hamlin’s Championship Aspirations

The adjustments to the 2025 NASCAR playoff schedule appear to favor Hamlin’s competitive style by reducing the number of road courses and emphasizing oval tracks where he excels. His expressed hope to build a points cushion before hitting more challenging tracks reflects a calculated strategy to maximize his playoff potential.

As the playoffs approach, Hamlin’s comments highlight his cautious optimism and focused preparation, signaling that he sees the schedule changes as an opportunity to strengthen his bid for another championship run.