Denny Hamlin hits out at NASCAR rules after Kansas victory stolen by late caution

Denny Hamlin has admitted that he isn't a fan of NASCAR's overtime rules, in the least surprising news of the 2026 season so far.

The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran famously lost what would've been his first Cup Series title when last year's championship race went to overtime, and had what looked like a sure race win ripped from his grasp once again at Kansas on Sunday.

Hamlin had re-passed Tyler Reddick and looked to have the race in hand with just two laps to go and the mile-and-a-half track when Cody Ware, running in last place, spun and completely changed the outcome of the race.

Lacking a push from Kyle Larson behind him at the restart, Hamlin ended up three wide with the No. 5 car and Reddick, dropping his previously dominant position and eventually finishing fourth.

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Hamlin hits out at NASCAR overtime rules

Speaking on his Actions Detrimental podcast this week, Hamlin admitted that the genie probably won't go back in the bottle when it comes to the overtime rules, but said: “For God’s sakes, if there’s one person that doesn’t like it, it’s me.

“We did it for the sake of entertainment decades ago, it feels like. I don’t know. I think it’s part of our sport now. It’s tough to go back on that, but I’d have a hell of a lot more wins and definitely a championship or so.”

Asked if the rules hurt the sport, he said: “Yes is the short answer. Because this is a 400-mile race. Oh no, it’s a 406-mile race. We’re going to change it up. There’s an advertised distance, then there’s an actual distance.”

On his run of race losses from late cautions and overtime restarts, he concluded: “I try to figure out how to take solace in it, but it’s like, well everyone knew we were fast. I guess that’s great.

"We scored lots of points. That’s cool. But it’s the wins that matter to me. It’s putting another trophy on the table out there by the front door. Really getting on my f****** nerves that we’re not doing it.”