The Bubba Wallace Kansas incident sparked heated debate after late-race contact left both Denny Hamlin and Wallace out of contention for the win at Kansas Speedway on Sunday. Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 car and co-owner of 23XI Racing, directly addressed critics questioning his handling of events, defending his actions in the aftermath.
Fan Reaction and Social Media Backlash
Following the race, discussion exploded on social media where NASCAR fans weighed in on Hamlin’s approach during the final moments. One Twitter user, Jett Kraus, directly criticized Hamlin’s maneuver, suggesting it cost both Hamlin and Wallace a shot at victory in Kansas. Kraus posted:
“I know a lot will bring up on how Bubba and Bell raced and how Denny raced Bubba are the same and while I understand that, I think what Denny did was more careless,”
Jett Kraus, Twitter user.
“With no power steering I feel like Denny drove it in with the mindset of ‘if he’s in the wall so be it.’ Not only did he take himself out, he took out his driver and possibly a shot at any 23XI driver in the R8 and gave the win to a Chevy. Not smart.”
Hamlin’s Response to the Controversy
Hamlin took to Twitter to push back against the accusations, refuting any suggestion that his actions were reckless or ill-considered during the Bubba Wallace Kansas incident. Hamlin emphasized the mechanical difficulties he was facing in the closing laps and defended his driving under challenging circumstances:
“I was off the gas and on the brakes 100yds before the 23 let off. I was turning as hard as I could given the aero situation. 11 team deserved that race. It didn’t work out,”
Denny Hamlin, driver and 23XI co-owner.
What Happened During the Final Laps?
Denny Hamlin had been out front for much of the race, maintaining his lead through the early stages and into the final run at Kansas. However, he encountered significant issues in the last moments, losing his power steering and struggling to handle his vehicle. This loss of steering capability made navigating turns particularly challenging, especially as Hamlin battled to keep his position ahead of Bubba Wallace.
As Hamlin attempted to pass Wallace on the inside, both drivers made contact, resulting in Wallace being pushed into the wall. The disruptive exchange allowed Chase Elliott to take advantage, getting inside position, making contact with Hamlin, and ultimately capturing the win for Chevrolet. Both Hamlin and Wallace missed out on a potential victory that had appeared within reach only moments before.
Hamlin Reflects on the Missed Win
After the race, Hamlin described his disappointment and acknowledged the challenging circumstances at the time of the incident. He cited a tight-handling car and reiterated the quality of his team’s performance up to that point:
“Just super disappointing, obviously. I wanted it bad,”
Denny Hamlin, driver and 23XI co-owner.
“It would have been 60 for me and you know, the team just did an amazing job on the car. Really, really fast, gave me everything I needed. Got the restart I needed, just couldn’t finish it there on the last corner. Obviously, got really, really tight with the 23 [Wallace] and I got really tight, and we let the 9 [Elliott] win.”
Denny Hamlin, NBC Sports interview.
Looking Forward After Kansas
The Bubba Wallace Kansas incident remains a hot topic among drivers and fans, illustrating the high stakes and intense competition common in NASCAR’s tightest races. Hamlin’s response has drawn both support and criticism, while Wallace, Elliott, and 23XI Racing regroup for future events on the schedule. The significance of Sunday’s outcome is likely to continue shaping discussions about race strategy and split-second decisions in the sport’s most critical moments.
I know a lot will bring up on how Bubba and Bell raced and how Denny raced Bubba are the same and while I understand that, I think what Denny did was more careless.
With no power steering I feel like Denny drove it in with the mindset of “if he’s in the wall so be it”. Not only…
— Jett Kraus (@JettMDK) September 29, 2025
Give me a break. I was off the gas and on the brakes 100yds before the 23 let off. I was turning as hard as I could given the aero situation. 11 team deserved that race. It didn’t work out. https://t.co/oVq3hsI346
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) September 29, 2025
