TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 26: Denny Hamlin 11 Joe Gibbs Racing King s Hawaiian UBE Coconut Rolls Toyota looks on prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Jack Links 500 on April 26, 2026, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega AL. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: APR 26 NASCAR Cup Series Jack Links 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2604262724

May 11, 2026, 12:00 PM CUT

Denny Hamlin Gets Real On Watkins Glen's 2027 Schedule Shift

While the 2026 NASCAR Watkins Glen race weekend took place in May, things have changed for the 2027 season. The governing body has shifted the race to September. As a consequence, the track will get featured in the earliest slots of the 10-race Chase next year, as Denny Hamlin, who prefers to avoid road courses, shared his thoughts.

During a media interaction at Watkins Glen, when Bob Pockrass asked Hamlin if he was disappointed about the change, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver said:

"It's okay. I think that generally, less road courses on our schedule, I'm going to be in favor of. You know, a little bit because of my performance, if I’m being biased, but I also don’t think the racing is as exciting as what the ovals are in these cars."

Though Watkins Glen is an iconic American circuit, it is not an oval. Hamlin is more fond of oval racing, as his success is very limited at road courses. Despite this, he delivered positive feedback.

"I understand, and I knew that some of the pushback was going to be this year, that there was no road course. So I knew that was coming. So I'm fine with Glen being it," Hamlin further added.

Notably, NASCAR owns the Watkins Glen International race track, and besides NASCAR races, it hosts other categories such as the World Sportscar Championship, Trans-Am, Can-Am, IMSA, and IndyCar.

Watkins Glen boss opens up about schedule change

Watkins Glen track president, Dawn Burlew, shared his take on the recent change in the NASCAR schedule, where the venue will get to host a Chase race next season. Speaking about how the fans have welcomed the race track, he said:

"So being in [The Chase] going forward, I think they’re going to be thrilled that we’re at the first part of that and really kind of set the stage for the rest of the playoff season. So again, if we can be part of that and kick it off, there’s no better place than to do it at The Glen."

Shane van Gisbergen was the defending champion at this track, and it was no different this time around. On Sunday, the Trackhouse Racing driver claimed another victory at the 2.45-mile circuit by overcoming a 29.2-second deficit in 18 laps for his first victory of 2026.

Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin had a weekend to forget. He started the race in 20th and finished only four places up, in 16th. It was his worst result of the season since the opener in Daytona.

Written by

Sabyasachi Biswas

Edited by

Yask Kotak