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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 30: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, speaks to the media after winning the pole award during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 30, 2025 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Denny Hamlin did not celebrate after NASCAR confirmed that Watkins Glen International will return to the NASCAR Playoffs in 2027. The veteran driver admitted he still prefers fewer road courses on the NASCAR schedule and believes oval racing produces better action in the Next Gen car.

NASCAR recently announced that Watkins Glen will return to a September playoff date next season, after the track was left off the 2026 postseason calendar. The change removes the Charlotte Roval from the playoff lineup and restores a road course to the 10-race NASCAR Playoffs.

Hamlin addressed the decision during the current Watkins Glen race weekend and made it clear that he understands why NASCAR made the move, even if road-course racing is not his favorite part of the modern NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

Denny Hamlin Questions NASCAR Playoffs Road Course Racing

Denny Hamlin spoke openly about the NASCAR Playoffs format after Watkins Glen returned to the postseason lineup. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver explained that he still believes oval tracks create stronger racing than road courses in the current NASCAR Cup Series car.

“It’s okay,” Hamlin said. “Generally, I’m going to favor having fewer road courses on the schedule. Part of that might be because of my performance, if I’m being biased, but I also don’t think the racing on road courses in these cars is as exciting as it is on ovals.”

Hamlin also acknowledged that NASCAR likely expected criticism after removing all road courses from the 2026 NASCAR Playoffs schedule.

“I understood there was going to be some pushback this year with no road course on the schedule, so I knew that was coming. I’m fine with Watkins Glen being on it.”

The comments continue a larger NASCAR conversation about the role of road courses in the Next Gen era. NASCAR has increased the number of road-course races in recent years, but several drivers have questioned whether the current car performs best on those layouts.

Watkins Glen Returns to NASCAR Playoffs After Schedule Change

NASCAR confirmed that Watkins Glen will return to a playoff date in September during the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season. The famous road course last appeared in the NASCAR Playoffs in 2024 before NASCAR moved to an all-oval postseason format for 2026.

The updated NASCAR Playoffs format removes the Charlotte Roval and returns Watkins Glen to one of the opening rounds of the postseason.

Watkins Glen remains one of the most recognized road courses in NASCAR. The track has hosted many major Cup Series moments over the years and continues to attract strong fan interest whenever NASCAR visits New York.

Hamlin has had steady performances at Watkins Glen throughout his career, but his recent comments indicate that his concerns are more about the quality of road-course racing in the Next Gen car than about the track itself.

Denny Hamlin Enters Final NASCAR Cup Series Stretch

The Watkins Glen NASCAR Playoffs decision coincides with Denny Hamlin’s preparations for what is anticipated to be his last full-time NASCAR Cup Series season in 2027.

Earlier this year, the 54-time Cup Series winner confirmed that he had already informed Joe Gibbs Racing about his future plans. Hamlin said he does not want an extended farewell tour and plans to stay fully focused on winning races and chasing his first NASCAR championship before stepping away from full-time competition.

As NASCAR reshapes the Playoffs once again, Watkins Glen will now become part of Hamlin’s final championship push. Even with his concerns about road course racing, the veteran driver appears ready to handle the challenge as the 2027 season approaches.