Denny Hamlin tees off on NASCAR show in response to Larry McReynolds playoff comment controversy

Denny Hamlin believes Larry McReynolds was “probably referencing me” after the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio host called out a member of the NASCAR playoff committee for advocating for the return of the full-season points format. On last Tuesday’s “On Track,” Danielle Trotta, McReynolds’ co-host, revealed there was one driver on the committee passionately calling for the end of the winner-takes-all championship race.

“I bet it’s a driver that has not won a championship,” McReynolds said. “Correct,” Trotta responded. Though fans initially took it as a shot at NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, a staunch defender of the old system, Hamlin said on Monday’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast that he viewed it differently. He called out McReynolds and Trotta for “continually questioning the people that have the credentials to give an opinion.”

“I think, in my opinion, Danielle was definitely talking about Mark. She even referenced Mark in a tweet afterwards. Larry was probably referencing me — I don’t think they were on the same page. I guess Larry said, ‘If you would listen closely, it’s a driver that’s active and on the council.’ He never said that. We listened closely, and Larry never said that — he was backtracking. … I have not [advocated for a full-season points format]. Here’s my problem mainly with the characters not just on this show — there’s others, but mainly this one — is that I’ve never seen another sport that continues to question what their star athletes say than this one here.

“Like, if a NFL player says, ‘The NFL really needs to look into these low blow hits,’ I can’t contemplate in my head another NFL show that says, ‘Who is that guy to say that? He doesn’t have the credentials to say that. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.’ That’s what the people on that channel typically do time and time out. … They continually question the people that have the credentials to give an opinion. That’s my problem with that channel. It’s not just this show — it’s primarily this show but it is others — that continually bash down the people that give them the content and the soundbites. It’s supposed to stir discussion, not an attack on them personally. Tell me why the idea is wrong.”

Denny Hamlin holds nothing back in fiery response to Larry McReynolds

Under the playoff format, adopted in 2004 and tweaked along the way, winning is everything. NASCAR switched to an elimination-style format in 2014, where 16 drivers make up the field. Winning at least one regular season race grants entry into the postseason. The playoffs take part across 10 races with four drivers eliminated after every three races until four remain. The season finale is a winner-takes-all championship race.

Hamlin has been vocal in calling for a change to the system. He confirmed he is on the playoff committee, which NASCAR assembled to determine if the playoff format should look different next season. Hamlin, notably, has never won a Cup Series championship. Neither has McReynolds, a Cup level crew chief for 15 years. Hamlin questioned if his opinion doesn’t matter, why should McReynolds?

“Am I missing something? Does Larry have one [a championship]? So, should we not listen? It doesn’t make sense,” Denny Hamlin said. “It’s just a way for them to stick their nose in the air and act smarter than they actually are.”