The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Daytona this weekend for the final regular-season race, where tension runs high. While William Byron has already secured the regular-season championship, Denny Hamlin leads the playoff points rankings but approaches the race differently. Instead of chasing bonus playoff points, Hamlin focuses on simply making it through the unpredictable event, reflecting the complicated reality of the new next-gen cars.
Challenges Presented by the Next-Gen Cars Affect Strategies
The 2025 season’s next-gen vehicles were intended to tighten competition across the field but have instead created frustration among drivers and fans alike. With teams running nearly identical cars, passing at Daytona and other superspeedways has become extremely difficult. The cars cluster in dense packs, increasing the likelihood of crashes, which are now a common feature of these high-speed contests.
For Hamlin, aggressive racing at the front is risky, as it often invites trouble in such volatile conditions. Instead, Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11 driver relies heavily on luck to advance safely through the event. In pre-race comments, Hamlin admitted,
This isn’t a race where many of us can dictate our finish. We can just hope to get lucky.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Daytona 500 Incident Influences Hamlin’s Calculated Race Plan
Hamlin’s cautious mindset traces back to the season opener at the Daytona 500, where he witnessed the violent crash involving Joey Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. This high-profile wreck reinforced his view that superspeedway racing has grown too unpredictable under the current car rules. Consequently, Hamlin is unwilling to risk everything at Daytona with the playoffs quickly approaching.
At 44, Hamlin understands an injury now could derail his championship ambitions, especially considering his strong playoff position. Nonetheless, this race provides an opportunity for him to offset disappointment from Richmond, where a pit road mistake slowed him despite a car capable of securing a fifth win. Balancing caution with competitiveness will define his approach as the season nears its climax.
Implications for Hamlin and the Future of Next-Gen Racing
Hamlin’s strategy underscores the growing concerns about the next-gen cars’ impact on race dynamics and driver safety, particularly on superspeedways like Daytona. His focus on survival rather than earning extra points signals a shift in priorities among top drivers forced to navigate these challenging conditions. How this approach affects the playoff picture will become clearer as the regular season concludes and championship battles intensify.