The Denny Hamlin Kansas controversy has ignited a fierce discussion around this year’s NASCAR Playoff picture and the decisions made during a dramatic race finish. Hamlin’s move against Bubba Wallace in the last corner opened the door for Chase Elliott to seize the win, leaving many in the paddock questioning the outcome’s impact on both Hamlin and the playoff landscape.
Critical Moments in the Kansas Race Shape Playoff Scenarios
Denny Hamlin looked set for victory at Kansas, leading for an impressive 159 laps despite struggling with power steering issues. As the laps dwindled, his efforts kept him at the front, but the action intensified after the overtime restarts, placing even more pressure on teams to deliver perfect execution.
Problems began after Hamlin’s final pit stop, when his crew experienced a miscue with the jack, slowing his progress. Another opportunity arose on a second overtime restart, but it was Chase Elliott who found a path along the bottom to surge ahead for the victory. Many are now examining this series of events for signs of what could have gone differently, especially with the playoffs on the line.
Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi from The Athletic analyzed the finish in their podcast, The Teardown, focusing on the tense double-overtime conclusion. The dynamic between Hamlin, who wears two hats as a driver and team owner, and Bubba Wallace, who drives for Hamlin’s team, became central to the aftermath.
He’s not thinking like that, either. He’s not thinking [as a] team owner,
— Jordan Bianchi, journalist
Bianchi highlighted that Hamlin’s mindset was rooted in his competitive drive, not in team ownership. Had Hamlin chosen to play it safe for the benefit of his own drivers or his team’s playoff aspirations, he could have received criticism. Instead, he pursued the win relentlessly, yet some now argue that his approach could have come with significant financial repercussions for him as both a competitor and owner.
This was driver versus driver, this wasn’t driver car owner versus driver. Depending on what everybody wants to accuse Denny of, favoring his own team over the team he drives for, here’s the evidence. This answers it all. This could potentially cost Denny significantly, monetarily.
— Jordan Bianchi, journalist
Pit Crew Mishaps and the Final Lap Decider
Earlier setbacks, particularly the trouble on the last pit stop, factored heavily into Hamlin’s defeat. The challenge in getting the jack under his car delayed his final run, and although he was given a second shot at victory with the overtime restarts, Elliott’s precise move on the final turn left Hamlin unable to reclaim the lead. The convergence of mechanical issues, pit crew execution, and late-race strategy made for a finish that will be dissected throughout the remainder of the season.
NASCAR Journalists Break Down the Outcome and Its Implications
The post-race analysis by Gluck and Bianchi delved into whether Hamlin could have approached the showdown differently. The “driver versus driver” framing was essential in defending Hamlin against potential accusations of favoritism, especially since Bubba Wallace remains in contention for playoff advancement. Had Hamlin eased up and allowed Wallace—his driver at 23XI Racing—a clear run, it would have sparked controversy about owner influence on the track. Instead, he raced Wallace as hard as any rival.
You know, obviously, we know he wants to get 60 [wins] anyway, and it was right there,
— Jeff Gluck, journalist
Gluck reflected on both the opportunity missed and the caliber of Hamlin’s car during the race, suggesting that the team’s missteps played a larger role in the defeat than strategic hesitation. The speculation over who might have “choked” points to how thin the margins are at the NASCAR Playoff level, and how every decision and technical error is magnified with stakes this high.
Is There Anything Hamlin Could Have Done Differently?
The controversy is built around the question of whether Hamlin should have changed tactics in the closing laps. Racing Bubba Wallace hard was almost a necessity, given the scrutiny any perceived favoritism would bring, yet hindsight prompts debate on alternate scenarios that could have allowed Hamlin to lock in the win without drama.
What do you do differently, how do you not give that win away? Because hold on, back up, we just said that Denny shouldn’t let Bubba win. So that Denny should race hard there, right? So, do you go back to where Bubba and Bell? Bubba’s trying to race his way into the next round so you can’t tell Bubba not to race hard.
— Jeff Gluck, journalist
The playoff calculus complicates these choices: Bubba Wallace is battling to advance, making every point crucial for drivers and teams alike. The pressure on Hamlin not only as a competitor but as a team owner intensifies the spotlight on each move, with critics questioning his judgment regardless of outcome.
Impact on the NASCAR Playoffs Going Forward
With this Kansas race now in the rearview mirror, Denny Hamlin must regroup. The disappointment of losing a near-certain win to Chase Elliott lingers, as does the realization that singular moments can alter the entire playoff trajectory. How Hamlin recovers from this setback—mentally and strategically—will likely determine whether the Kansas controversy becomes a turning point in his championship quest or simply a challenging chapter overcome on the way to greater success. The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of NASCAR playoffs, where even the most experienced drivers face unforgiving odds and the consequences of every split-second decision.
