Denny Hamlin faced criticism following Sunday’s Kansas Speedway finale, where his last-lap move impacted Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott. Some fans questioned whether Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, should have raced differently to benefit his team and driver. Hamlin pushed back, explaining that on Sundays, his responsibility lies solely with the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 car. His priority is winning as a driver, not managing outcomes for his 23XI Racing teammates. The distinction is one Hamlin emphasizes repeatedly.
Key Highlights
On race day, Hamlin drives the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 and is not acting as 23XI Racing owner.
Hamlin slid into Wallace on the final lap, allowing Elliott to take the win.
He refuses to apologize for racing to win.
Hamlin explains ownership duties are Monday through Saturday, while Sundays focus on the 11 car.
Wallace’s frustration was directed at a competitor, not Hamlin as team owner, which Hamlin respects.
Denny Hamlin Defends His Decisions
Hamlin addressed the controversy on his Actions Detrimental podcast, making it clear he owes nothing to Wallace or Tyler Reddick on Sundays.
“Because I’m racing for the win. And I definitely won’t apologize for racing for the win.” – Denny Hamlin
He dismissed the narrative suggesting his actions hurt 23XI Racing’s playoff chances.
“No, no, no, no, no, no. On Sunday, I’m the driver of the No. 11 car and not the owner of the 23 car. That’s where the disconnect, I think, comes from is that people expect me to be a different person. They expect me to be the guy with a 23XI shirt when I’m in the 11 car and that’s just not possible.” – Denny Hamlin
Hamlin explained he raced Wallace the same way he would have raced any other driver in the final-lap battle. His responsibilities on Sundays focus entirely on his No. 11 car and the crew working to achieve victory.
“Again, my responsibilities as the team owner comes Monday through Saturday. Like, it’s not up to me to get 23XI into the Round of 8 if that makes any sense. That isn’t my responsibility. My responsibility is to get the 11 into the Round of 8.” – Denny Hamlin
Kansas Race Recap
Hamlin dominated much of the Kansas race, winning both stages. His lead slipped after a slow pit stop caused by a substitute jackman serving a suspension from a previous penalty. Hamlin restarted fifth and fought his way forward alongside Christopher Bell, aiming to reclaim the top spot. Unfortunately, his last-lap maneuver under Bubba Wallace allowed Chase Elliott to drive by and secure the win.
Hamlin reviewed the data after the race, noting that he used the same lift point as earlier but became aero tight under Wallace. Despite the outcome, he stood by his decision, believing it was his responsibility to race for the win.
“I don’t have an issue with that. Anything directed to me as an owner, I would certainly take an exception to that because I know the resources Michael [Jordan] and I give Bubba every single week to go out there and compete. We have invested a ton to make sure our drivers have the best cars possible.” – Denny Hamlin
Wallace’s frustration was visible as he flipped Hamlin off during the cool-down lap, but Hamlin saw it as a reaction toward a competitor, not a personal grievance.
Ownership vs. Driving
Hamlin emphasized the distinction between his Sunday duties as a driver and his weekday responsibilities as co-owner of 23XI Racing. While he invests heavily in Bubba Wallace and the team, the driver’s competitive instincts on race day cannot be compromised for ownership considerations. Hamlin’s stance highlights the complexity of balancing dual roles in NASCAR.
“If he were to flip me off at 23XI as the car owner, we would have an employer, employee problem but as a competitor, he flipped off the driver of the 11. I give him grace for that because we are competitors on Sunday.” – Denny Hamlin
This separation allows Hamlin to compete freely without guilt while maintaining his commitment to his team off the track.
News in Brief: Denny Hamlin Clarifies His Role in 23XI Racing on Sundays
Denny Hamlin clarified that on Sundays, he races solely as the driver of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11, not as 23XI Racing co-owner. His last-lap move at Kansas affected Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott, who ultimately won. Hamlin refuses to apologize, emphasizing his responsibility is to the No. 11 team. Wallace’s frustration was aimed at a competitor, not Hamlin as owner. Ownership duties for 23XI Racing occur Monday through Saturday. Hamlin’s approach separates driver performance from ownership obligations, ensuring competitiveness while supporting his team.
ALSO READ: Fans Criticize Denny Hamlin’s Move That Hurt Bubba Wallace
