Bubba Wallace has recently reflected on the Bubba Wallace Daytona 500 controversy with Denny Hamlin, revisiting a heated dispute that began on racing’s biggest stage and extended far beyond the finish line. The clash, which took place in 2018 at Daytona International Speedway, continues to shape Wallace’s perspective on the impact of words and rivalry in the world of NASCAR.
Origins of the Daytona Clash Between Wallace and Hamlin
During the final lap of the 2018 Daytona 500, Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin were locked in an intense battle for second place, their cars making contact as they crossed the line. Wallace finished ahead, claiming a sensational runner-up spot in his Daytona 500 debut, while Hamlin settled for third. The conflict did not end on the track; Hamlin ignited further drama off it when he joked on a podcast that most drivers use Adderall to stay focused during races.
Wallace, on live television, fired back by suggesting Hamlin
might need to take some Adderall for that one,
escalating the tension between the two drivers. This exchange, originally rooted in competitive banter, soon snowballed into a significant issue within the NASCAR garage. Speaking years later on a podcast, Wallace recounted the fallout:
“There you go, that’s one. Denny still says I blew his tire (at) the finish in the 500…. I took it and ran with that, and I tried to tell him that. But he mentioned something about Adderall. Remember that whole Adderall thing? I got a call from a sponsor, like, ‘Hey, are you on it?’ It was something that snowballed into something much bigger. So I’m like, ‘Dude, what the f**k? You’re putting us in a bad spot because you said 90 percent of the drivers are on Adderall. Not cool. I don’t appreciate that.” —Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver
The Daytona run-in quickly turned personal, with Wallace feeling that Hamlin’s offhand joke cast a shadow over both drivers’ reputations. The fallout went further when a sponsor questioned Wallace about the remarks, highlighting how offhand comments can affect perceptions and business relationships in a high-profile sport.
Unresolved Tensions After Daytona: Atlanta Conflicts and Repercussions
The aftermath of the Daytona clash did not dissipate as the NASCAR calendar rolled on. At the next event in Atlanta, Wallace and Hamlin tried to address their differences, but old wounds reopened and the conversation quickly became another confrontation. Wallace noted how Hamlin remained steadfast in his position and brought his characteristic bluntness to their exchange:
“He said, ‘You think I need an f**king PR lesson from you?’ Typical Denny. He would probably still say that today. Then we get to Atlanta to talk it out, and we did the opposite of that,” Wallace added. —Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver
The inability to resolve their dispute underscored the emotional tension and divided perspectives within the NASCAR paddock. Over time, Wallace has pointed to this episode as an early lesson on the weight of rivalries and public statements, particularly in a sport where sponsor relationships and public images are closely intertwined.
Moving Forward: Bubba Wallace’s Growth and Rising Profile
Seven years after the infamous Daytona run-in, Bubba Wallace is now piloting the No. 23 Toyota for 23XI Racing—a team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and basketball legend Michael Jordan. While the raw feelings from the incident have softened and both drivers now work together within the same organization, Hamlin has never outright accepted Wallace’s account of the incident, leaving some feelings unresolved.
This period marked a formative experience in Wallace’s early career, highlighting the power of words and the ways off-track remarks can take on a life of their own. The Bubba Wallace Daytona 500 controversy continues to shape how Wallace navigates relationships and communication in the racing community, serving as a reminder that the consequences of heated moments can linger well into the future.
Wallace Eyes His Strongest Playoff Year Amid Past Lessons
Bubba Wallace now stands on the brink of what could be his most successful NASCAR Cup Series campaign to date. In the previous season, he reached the Round of 12 and finished tenth in the overall standings—his best showing yet. As the 2025 season progresses, the statistics reflect Wallace’s emergence as a balanced and increasingly competitive presence in the Cup Series.
His No. 23 Toyota, backed by a highly ranked pit crew, has proven quick throughout the year. According to Racing Insights, Wallace ranks seventh in passing, ninth in defense, eighth in speed, and third on race restarts, demonstrating his all-around abilities. While moments of execution have slipped through his fingers, Wallace openly acknowledges the areas for improvement as he aims to transform strong performances into breakthrough results.
This consistency was evident in the most recent race at World Wide Technology Raceway. Entering the event with a strong points advantage after a sixth-place run at Darlington, Wallace left Gateway with even more comfort—earning an eighth-place finish, 15 valuable stage points, and a win in Stage 2. These results have doubled his lead above the elimination cutline, positioning him securely in the playoff hunt.
Bristol Up Next: A Defining Moment for Wallace’s Playoff Hopes
The next challenge for Bubba Wallace comes at Bristol, the site of the Round of 16 eliminator. Although his historical average at the Tennessee short track stands at 19.2 across 12 races, Wallace arrives in top form, having finished in the top ten in six of his last eight starts. The momentum behind him, combined with recent lessons learned, sets the stage for a potential breakout performance as he seeks to solidify his place in the next playoff round.
For Wallace, the upcoming Saturday night race is more than just another chance to advance—it is an opportunity to stake his claim as a playoff contender and to demonstrate how far he has come since that controversial Daytona moment. The journey from a public spat with Denny Hamlin to battling for NASCAR’s top honors reflects a process of growth, resilience, and the enduring impact of high-profile rivalries in motorsports.
