Denny Hamlin advice to Bubba Wallace has become a key factor in one of the most significant victories of Wallace’s racing career, with this game-changing guidance contributing to his win at the Brickyard 400 on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Acting as co-owner of 23XI Racing, Hamlin’s mentorship and support, alongside NBA legend Michael Jordan, have played a major role in Wallace’s evolution as a driver and as a competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The Evolution of Bubba Wallace at 23XI Racing
Since joining 23XI Racing as its inaugural driver in 2021, Bubba Wallace has experienced both highs and lows on the NASCAR circuit. Denny Hamlin, watching from the dual perspectives of team owner and mentor, always believed in Wallace’s skills but expressed concern over Wallace’s consistency, motivation, and ability to process setbacks or near-miss results. When the team added a second car for the 2022 season with veteran Kurt Busch at the wheel, the dynamic within the garage shifted, spurring Wallace to push himself further to match his accomplished teammate.
This internal competition intensified further when Tyler Reddick, considered a rising star in the sport, was brought on board to fill the vacancy left by Kurt Busch’s early retirement due to injury. Surrounded by high-performing teammates, Wallace’s focus and commitment to excellence noticeably increased as he endeavored to keep pace within the growing organization spearheaded by Hamlin and Michael Jordan.
“When we started the second team with Kurt, that pushed him a little bit,”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner
Hamlin emphasized that the arrival of Tyler Reddick served to drive Wallace even more, as expectations from both him and Michael Jordan centered on winning and building a top-tier team. By placing significant resources into 23XI Racing, the owners made clear that simply competing would not suffice—success was the objective, and Wallace felt this pressure not just from his bosses but also from the heightened standards established within the team.
“Bubba has felt pressure. I think he’s felt the pressure from not only me but Michael and everyone. You want to perform the best among your teammates.”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner
A Transformation in Mindset and Approach
Denny Hamlin noted a profound change in Bubba Wallace’s attitude and work ethic during the summer of 2024, attributing the shift in part to Wallace becoming a father in September of the previous year. This personal milestone may have influenced his mental reset and increased maturity on and off the track. Hamlin noticed the change was not fleeting but drove sustained growth in how Wallace approached his craft and responded to the challenges of professional racing.
“What I’m hoping he takes from (winning the Brickyard 400) is that hard work pays off. It really does pay off. Hopefully, we see more of this.”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner
With dedication growing alongside personal responsibility, Wallace’s recent performances reflected an athlete coming into his own. He not only sought to improve his results but also began managing disappointments differently—channeling adversity into fuel for progress rather than seeing only the negatives.
Learning to Overcome Setbacks and Embrace Wisdom
One of the most critical aspects of Wallace’s growth has been his evolving response to adversity at the track. Instead of dwelling in defeat after difficult weekends, Wallace has learned to compartmentalize setbacks and focus on positives—an approach Hamlin himself began to notice over the past year. This period of growth aligned with practical advice passed down to Hamlin from former Cup Series crew chief Mike Ford and then passed along to Wallace.
“I think it seemed like on the bad days he was able to compartmentalize that and then think about the positives versus (saying), ‘Everything sucks,’ all the time. That’s a tough way to live.”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner
The realities of NASCAR mean that even great drivers lose more often than they win, making it essential to find satisfaction not only in victory but in the pursuit of smaller goals and consistent gains. Hamlin relayed Ford’s guidance to Wallace, emphasizing that a driver who wins only a small percentage of races could still end up a Hall of Famer. The wisdom encourages drivers to derive fulfillment from personal and team improvements, not only checkered flags.
“We’re in a business where if you can win 5 percent of the time, you’re a Hall of Famer,”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner
“Mike Ford told me that early in my career. And that was the best advice I’ve ever been given. It’s something that certainly needed to be told to Bubba — that you’ve got to find these little goals that you feel good about, because it’s tough out there.”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner
A Breakthrough Moment at the Brickyard
The culmination of these developments was realized as Bubba Wallace secured the Brickyard 400 victory, a result that confirmed his progress both as a competitor and as a resilient individual. Hamlin acknowledged the work Wallace put into transforming his mindset and managing the peaks and valleys of the sport. In Hamlin’s eyes, Wallace’s performance over the last year stands as clear evidence of meaningful and sustained maturation.
“It just seems that over the last 12 months, the performance is definitely better,”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner
This triumph on the legendary Indianapolis track not only rewards Wallace’s perseverance but also signals the potential for even greater achievement as he continues to heed and apply the lessons shared by Hamlin, Mike Ford, and the 23XI Racing organization. Wallace’s ability to internalize Denny Hamlin advice to Bubba Wallace, adapt to challenges, and set practical targets for improvement may be the very elements that drive continued success throughout his NASCAR journey.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Since he started racing full-time in the Cup Series in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin has had an impressive career. He has won 51 Cup Series races and three Daytona 500 events in 2016, 2019, and 2020, and has earned a lot of money through these successes.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. The Reasons for Denny Hamlin’s $65 Million Net Worth: He earned over $100 million from NASCAR contracts and race prizes. He has multi-million dollar deals with FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota. He also co-owns 23XI Racing, a team valued at over $100 million.
