Denny Hamlin Calls for Return of NASCAR Clash to Daytona, Announces Expanded National Debt Relief Partnership
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A renewed focus on building excitement for the Daytona 500 and a challenging weather-impacted event at Bowman Gray Stadium have prompted calls for a return to tradition.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Following the 2026 Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, Denny Hamlin, driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, expressed his desire to see NASCAR’s preseason exhibition race return to Daytona International Speedway. The sentiment came during a post-race interview with NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass, highlighting a desire to capitalize on the momentum leading into the season-opening Daytona 500.
The 2026 Clash, held on Wednesday, February 4, faced significant challenges. The 200-lap event was twice rescheduled due to inclement weather and ultimately ran in rainy conditions. The race concluded after 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 15 seconds, punctuated by 17 cautions and a mandatory pit stop for refueling. Despite the disruptions, Ryan Preece of RFK Racing secured the victory, with Hamlin finishing fifth behind Daniel Suarez of Spire Motorsports. The event featured 11 lead changes.
“There’s a reason why most outdoor sports aren’t playing right now this time of year,” Hamlin stated. “I don’t know; as long as it was entertaining, I don’t really care. I’m an old-school person; I’ve felt like, as a car owner, I hate the Clash at Daytona, but I can tell you, as a competitor, and I think for the sport, the best place is to have it at Daytona to build some excitement for the 500.”
Hamlin Secures Multi-Race Sponsorship with National Debt Relief
Beyond the track, Hamlin also announced an expanded partnership with National Debt Relief for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The collaboration, which began with four races in 2025 – including the Daytona 500 – will now see the private debt settlement company sponsoring Hamlin’s #11 Toyota Camry for 12 races.
The partnership will kick off at the 2026 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway and continue at EchoPark Speedway, Circuit of the Americas, and Bristol Motor Speedway. Additional races featuring the National Debt Relief sponsorship include events at Kansas Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Talladega Superspeedway.
According to a team release, Hamlin expressed his enthusiasm for the continued collaboration. “National Debt Relief is a great partner for our No. 11 team. Last year, their team was incredible with how they became ingrained with Joe Gibbs Racing and how they activated with the commercial spot and during the broadcasts, which grew awareness that National Debt Relief is a brand consumers can trust to help them find a faster path to debt freedom. I’m excited to see how we can continue to grow this partnership and get them to victory lane in 2026.”
Championship Pursuit Continues with New Points Format
Hamlin’s 2026 campaign will also be shaped by a return to the Chase format for determining the NASCAR Cup Series champion. After finishing as the runner-up to Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports in the 2025 season, Hamlin will now compete under a system where the driver with the most points in the final 10 races will be crowned champion. This shift in format adds another layer of complexity and strategic importance to the latter part of the season, potentially offering Hamlin a renewed opportunity to secure his first Cup Series title.
