Promoter Caution Backlash: Logano Snaps at CEO, and Hamlin Fires Back
The All-Star Race sparks a war of words and something deeper inside NASCAR’s power structure
Byline: Charlotte, NC – July 2025
The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race was intended to be a celebration of short-track heritage, a night where raw speed met racing nostalgia. But when Joey Logano stood beside his wrecked No. 22 Ford under the North Wilkesboro lights, helmet in hand, and pointed upward toward NASCAR CEO Marcus Smith seated above Turn Four, everything changed.
“That caution didn’t save the show,” Logano shouted. “It stole the race.”
The controversy erupted around the Promoter’s Caution. Unlike traditional cautions for wrecks, debris, or weather, this one was purely designed to tighten the field and create a dramatic restart. Logano had dominated the race to that point. He chose to stay out on old tires, confident in his lead. Others pitted. After the restart, Christopher Bell swept past him with ease, and two laps later Logano hit the wall and saw his night collapse.
The fallout began instantly.
Marcus Smith, speaking carefully at a post-race press conference, defended the decision. “We introduced the Promoter’s Caution as a tool to enhance competition. That’s what fans want. This isn’t just racing. It’s entertainment.”
But not everyone in the garage agreed. Denny Hamlin made his position clear within minutes.
“You can’t just flip the race like it’s a reality show,” Hamlin told reporters. “Logano got hosed. I’ve been vocal about this for years. We’re playing with the integrity of the sport to chase social media clips.”
That comment lit a fuse. Logano soon posted on X, formerly Twitter, showing a lap chart and writing, “Fastest car. Led the most laps. One ‘moment’ ruined everything. How’s that for a highlight reel?”
Hamlin reposted with three words: “This isn’t wrestling.”
Behind the scenes, this tension has been simmering. The Promoter’s Caution is believed to be strongly supported by TV partners and sponsors looking to inject energy into primetime broadcasts. Logano, always conscious of the entertainment aspect, has still been a strong advocate for fair competition. This time, he felt the showmanship crossed a line.
“It’s not just about Joey or Denny,” said one anonymous team owner. “It’s about who’s really in charge of the sport. The racers or the marketers.”
Hamlin’s position adds another layer. His 23XI Racing team is already locked in a legal dispute with NASCAR over charter guarantees. That context made his public defense of Logano especially powerful. To fans, it looked like something bigger than a one-race dispute. It felt like a driver-led uprising taking shape.
As of now, NASCAR has not announced any changes to the Promoter’s Caution. But fan backlash is growing, and some sponsors have privately expressed concern about perceived manipulation.
Logano ended his interview with a parting shot. “If the show’s fake, don’t expect us to play real.”
When asked if he would race differently now, Hamlin simply smiled and said, “Let’s just say the gloves are off.”
One caution. One race. And perhaps the moment NASCAR’s biggest storm officially began.