Denny Hamlin’s intensity has never been subtle, but the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs have amplified every move and every frustration. At Kansas Speedway during the Hollywood Casino 400, Hamlin’s battle with 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace brought old tensions to the surface. As pit strategies collided and radio chatter revealed simmering irritation, Hamlin’s focus on leading laps and maximizing stage points overshadowed teammate disputes. Between mechanical struggles and playoff pressure, the veteran driver navigated the chaos to maintain his championship momentum.
Key Highlights
Denny Hamlin called out Bubba Wallace mid-race during the Hollywood Casino 400.
Hamlin led over 90 laps, surpassing 16,000 career laps led in Cup Series history.
Pit strategies played a crucial role, with Hamlin executing a two-tire stop to regain the lead.
Wallace’s slightly faster pit stop was insufficient to hold the lead.
Hamlin’s playoff frustrations trace back to New Hampshire incident with teammate Ty Gibbs.
Kansas Showdown: Hamlin vs. Wallace
The Hollywood Casino 400 featured a tense duel between Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Hamlin and Wallace. Hamlin, piloting the No. 11 Toyota, leveraged a strategic two-tire pit stop to move ahead after a cycle of green-flag stops. His radio call,
“Does he know he’s slowing us down?” – Denny Hamlin.
Highlighted his growing irritation with Wallace’s on-track positioning. Spotters encouraged aggressive moves, advising Hamlin to side draft and slide-job to pass, emphasizing the high-stakes tactics required to maintain a lead. Despite Wallace’s slightly faster pit stop—36.70 seconds compared to Hamlin’s 37.34—he could not hold the advantage, allowing Hamlin to surge ahead.
Stage Dominance and Career Milestones
Hamlin’s Kansas performance reinforced his reputation as one of the sport’s most consistent drivers. Winning both Stage 1 and Stage 2 earned him the maximum 20 points per stage, while over 90 laps led pushed him past 16,000 career laps—a milestone only 12 drivers in NASCAR history have achieved.
Competitors Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell collected 17 and 16 stage points, respectively, while Chase Elliott added 15 points. Wallace, despite his efforts, secured only five points in Stage 2, reflecting the widening gap between the two teammates in playoff performance.
Mechanical Struggles and Playoff Pressure
Hamlin’s frustrations extended beyond teammate rivalry. With 52 laps remaining in Stage 3, he radioed:
“There is something wrong with the f—g steering. It’s sticking bad.” – Denny Hamlin
Later adding,
“I don’t know what to do. I can’t f—g believe it… Every year. Every year.” – Denny Hamlin
Playoff pressure magnified these challenges, forcing Hamlin to navigate mechanical limitations while competing for maximum points. The repeated frustrations of battling teammates and equipment issues illustrate the heightened stakes of the postseason.
Team Dynamics and Lessons Learned
Tensions between Hamlin and his teammates are not new. At New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s Mobil 1 301, Hamlin collided with Ty Gibbs while battling for stage points, a move that sent Gibbs spinning into the wall. Reflecting on the incident, Hamlin admitted his own part:
“Well, I mean, certainly, I absolutely have to get you know, I definitely got hot under the collar. It went too far on my end and certainly there’s. I wish I could do that.” – Denny Hamlin
A pre-race press briefing before Kansas indicated that JGR leadership had held a team meeting to prevent future conflicts, bringing together Hamlin, Gibbs, Bell, Chase Briscoe, and management. Hamlin’s statement,
“Yeah, all the drivers had an opportunity to speak and try to come up with a plan, and did our best to come up with one. That’s it. That’s all that is there.” – Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin, signaled closure and intent to maintain team cohesion while navigating the playoff intensity.
News in Brief: Denny Hamlin Blunt on Radio Amid Kansas Playoff Duel with Bubba Wallace
Denny Hamlin’s Kansas performance during the Hollywood Casino 400 highlighted both his skill and simmering frustrations with teammate Bubba Wallace. Hamlin’s strategic two-tire pit stop allowed him to reclaim the lead, secure Stage 1 and Stage 2 victories, and surpass 16,000 career laps led. Wallace’s slightly faster pit stop could not maintain track position. Mechanical issues compounded playoff pressure, while previous New Hampshire incidents with Ty Gibbs added tension. JGR team meetings aim to prevent future conflicts. Follow NASCAR closely as the playoffs heat up and stakes rise for all drivers.
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