Denny Hamlin openly criticized Hendrick drivers after the Southern 500 at Darlington, highlighting their disappointing performance in a race where expectations were high. Hamlin’s comments brought attention to Hendrick Motorsports‘ struggles, as the top Chevrolet team failed to place any cars in the top 10, fueling conversation around the team’s strategy and execution.
Disappointing Results for Hendrick Motorsports at Darlington
The Southern 500 saw a surprising underperformance from Hendrick Motorsports, historically one of NASCAR‘s premier teams. Chase Elliott finished in 17th place, while Kyle Larson managed only 19th. The struggles extended to William Byron in 21st and Alex Bowman, who could climb no higher than 31st. This lackluster collective result from the team that usually leads the Chevrolet effort was unexpected by fans and analysts alike, especially at a critical point in the season as the Playoffs approach.
Commenting on the situation, veteran Denny Hamlin acknowledged the difficulties faced by the Hendrick drivers and noted that expectations had not been met. Hamlin, who races for Joe Gibbs Racing but has close alliances and rivalries across the NASCAR garage, anticipated that the Chevrolet cars would perform much better. While assessing the race, he also pointed out that a range of factors influenced their finishing positions, especially for Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Hamlin suggested that Elliott’s strategy was disrupted by an ill-timed caution, while Larson possibly suffered from mechanical damage during the race.
“The Hendrick guys, obviously, the result was bad. I think they were better than that, I think they’re getting, the fans are getting a little too overzealous on like, wow, they performed 17th or worse. They did not. The 9 obviously got caught on his strategy, unfortunately, by that yellow. That hurt him. Larson, more than likely, had toe link damage, if I had to guess.”
—Denny Hamlin, Actions Detrimental podcast
The typically competitive drivers from Hendrick found themselves unable to recover from their respective setbacks. Hamlin observed that, in Byron and Bowman’s cases, performance issues lingered throughout the weekend. His remarks about Bowman in particular hinted at skepticism regarding the car’s competitiveness regardless of changing circumstances during the race.
“Byron wasn’t good. And then the 48, I don’t know. … So, I don’t know. Surely it altered the result, surely it changed his result but I just don’t know if the 48 was going to be that good anyway.”
—Denny Hamlin
Despite the ongoing challenges for Hendrick, some, like NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., remain confident that team owner Rick Hendrick can marshal a turnaround as soon as the following Playoff event. However, Hamlin’s remarks underscored ongoing doubts about whether the necessary improvements can be made so quickly and highlighted the mounting pressure on the Hendrick organization.
Strong Performances for 23XI Racing Amidst Rivals’ Struggles
As Hendrick Motorsports faced adversity at Darlington, Denny Hamlin’s own team, 23XI Racing, enjoyed an impressive outing. The squad, which Hamlin co-owns alongside NBA icon Michael Jordan and operates under a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, demonstrated competitive form throughout the event. Tyler Reddick, piloting for 23XI, fought for victory, narrowly missing out in a late-race battle with Chase Briscoe, and ultimately taking a strong finish. Bubba Wallace also impressed, staying in the top pack and edging out Hamlin himself to claim sixth place.
The positive momentum for 23XI Racing was not lost on Hamlin, who praised the team’s performance and specifically highlighted Wallace’s aggressive run in the first stage and Reddick’s pace deeper into the race. Despite Reddick’s inability to pass for the win due in part to difficult track conditions and disruptive “dirty air,” the weekend marked a boost in confidence for the Toyota-backed operation.
“Yeah, 23XI had a really good day. You know, Bubba, I thought in the first stage was super strong. He passed us and was kinda catching the 19 before he pitted. Reddick got back on the horse with speed. I thought he was going to pass the 19. I thought he was leaps and bounds faster than he was at the end of the race. Obviously, the dirty air and whatnot, he wasn’t going to get around him.”
—Denny Hamlin
The strong results from both Reddick and Wallace reflected well on Hamlin’s leadership and affirmed the technical partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing, which continues to yield competitive vehicles and strategies. The upward trajectory for 23XI Racing stands in stark contrast to the difficulties faced by Hendrick Motorsports, amplifying the sense of rivalry between the two camps in NASCAR’s Playoff atmosphere.
Significance for the NASCAR Playoffs and the Road Ahead
The outcome of the Southern 500 has intensified scrutiny on Hendrick drivers, as they work to regroup after a week where they were unexpectedly absent from the front of the field. Denny Hamlin’s critical assessment, combined with the performances of 23XI Racing drivers Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, has added to the narrative drama as the NASCAR Playoffs advance. Key entities like Rick Hendrick, Chase Elliott, William Byron, Alex Bowman, and Kyle Larson now face the urgent task of bouncing back under mounting pressure.
With Denny Hamlin building momentum both as a driver and team owner, and veterans like Dale Earnhardt Jr. still expressing faith in a possible Hendrick resurgence, the next Playoff event will serve as a major turning point. While unpredictability remains a hallmark of the Playoffs, the aftermath of Darlington has set the stage for intensified competition—and for Denny Hamlin criticizes Hendrick drivers Darlington, their every move will be under the microscope in coming weeks.
