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Denny Hamlin critiques NASCAR’s relevance after season finale

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 11, 2026, 3:15 AM

Last updated Nov 11, 2026

Denny Hamlin critiques NASCAR’s relevance after season finale

Summary

Denny Hamlin stated on his podcast that NASCAR is 'not relevant to the mainstream,' questioning its appeal following the season finale. He suggests that the sport’s main issue is its niche status and calls for better storytelling around drivers and rivalries to attract new fans. Hamlin's comments come shortly after Kyle Larson won his third Cup title at Homestead-Miami. Hamlin finished third in the final standings, highlighted by four victories and 24 top-10 finishes during the season, but fell short in the playoffs. He emphasized the need for NASCAR to reach beyond its current audience and enhance its presentation to grow interest.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Hamlin believes NASCAR is too niche and lacks mainstream relevance.
•Kyle Larson recently clinched his third Cup title.
•Hamlin finished third in the Cup standings with four wins this season.
•He advocates for better storytelling to engage potential fans.
•Hamlin calls for significant changes in how NASCAR promotes itself.

Latest Updates

3:15 AMYahoo Sports — Denny Hamlin Calls Out NASCAR With ‘Not Relevant’ Verdict After Season Finale

What they're saying

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Denny Hamlin calls out NASCAR as “not relevant to the mainstream” following the season finale, raising questions about the sport's appeal. The post Denny Hamlin Calls Out NASCAR With ‘Not Relevant’ Verdict After Season Finale appeared first on HEAVY.
— Yahoo Sports

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