Here’s a bold statement: NASCAR’s Charlotte Roval race left us with more questions than answers, and one of the biggest is this—Should Denny Hamlin have let Ross Chastain advance instead of Joey Logano? It’s a controversial thought, but it’s one that could change the entire playoff landscape. And this is the part most people miss: Hamlin had not one, but two chances to potentially end Logano’s championship defense, and both slipped through his fingers. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing—was it a missed opportunity, or a strategic choice? Let’s dive in.
We’ve all marveled at Joey Logano’s ability to escape the clutches of defeat like a NASCAR version of James Bond. His survival skills are legendary, and once again, he’s in the running for the NASCAR Cup Series championship. Jordan Bianchi brilliantly broke down how Logano pulled off yet another miraculous save at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, keeping his title dreams alive. But was it too easy this time? Denny Hamlin is likely asking himself that very question, especially if both drivers make it to the championship round at Phoenix.
Hamlin had two golden opportunities to derail Logano’s title train. The first came at Kansas, where Hamlin’s aggressive driving—aimed at securing a win—ended up costing both himself and his own driver, Bubba Wallace, a chance at victory. Chase Elliott seized the moment, leaving Hamlin to wonder what could have been. A Wallace win would have shifted the cut line above Logano’s position, leaving him 15 points behind the next driver, Chase Briscoe. But should Hamlin have played it safe? Or is aggressive racing the only way to win?
Then, at the Charlotte Roval, Hamlin could have stayed behind Ross Chastain, allowing Chastain to gain the extra point needed to advance. Some might call it race manipulation, but is it really? Hamlin has no loyalty to either team, so it would’ve simply been a choice of which driver to face in Round 3. Is it unethical to strategically influence the playoff field, or just smart racing? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Logano’s history makes him a far more formidable opponent than Chastain when it comes to championship races. Hamlin, still chasing his first title, knows this better than anyone. After the race, Hamlin seemed animated while speaking to crew chief Chris Gayle, reportedly saying, ‘I would have not passed him.’ Was this a moment of regret, or just frustration?
On paper, Logano and Chastain’s stats are nearly identical this season: one win each, a 16th-place average finish, and just one top-10 finish separating them. But Logano has two aces up his sleeve: his uncanny ability to advance when his car seems lacking, and Team Penske’s stellar record at Phoenix. Is Logano’s track record enough to justify Hamlin’s decision, or did he miss a golden opportunity?
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the Charlotte Roval itself. Why does NASCAR keep running races on a track that consistently underperforms? The Next Gen car shines on 1.5-mile ovals, delivering thrilling races, but struggles on road courses. Yet, the Roval is back for its ninth appearance next season. Is this a missed opportunity to give fans what they really want—more oval racing?
Chase Briscoe summed it up perfectly: ‘I like the Roval, but the oval? Man, that’s a good time. You get a lot of smiles per mile on the oval.’ And the data backs him up. Oval races at Charlotte have consistently scored over 90% in fan polls, while Roval races barely crack 60%. Why stick with a format that’s clearly less exciting?
Shane van Gisbergen’s dominance on road courses deserves more attention, but it’s often overshadowed by playoff drama. His five straight road course wins—with margins of victory unmatched since 1988—are nothing short of historic. Yet, his performance at the Roval was almost an afterthought. Is NASCAR doing enough to celebrate achievements like SVG’s, or are they lost in the shuffle?
As we head into the final eight drivers—all from NASCAR’s Big Three teams—we’re looking at one of the strongest playoff fields ever. But with the format changing next year, this could be the last time we see a one-race championship round. Who do you think deserves to win it all? And more importantly, should Hamlin have played it differently? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
