Denny Hamlin, balancing his dual role as both a driver and co-owner of 23XI Racing, confronted the challenges of Denny Hamlin driver owner dynamics at the Hollywood Casino 400 in Kansas on Sunday after an intense on-track altercation with Bubba Wallace. The incident not only stirred tension between Hamlin and Wallace, but it also cast a spotlight on the complicated line Hamlin walks during NASCAR’s most competitive moments.
Hamlin’s Dual Role Put to the Test During Dramatic Race
During the NASCAR Cup Series event at Kansas, veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin found himself embroiled in controversy after a late-race collision involving his 23XI Racing driver, Bubba Wallace. As they raced for position in double overtime, Hamlin pushed Wallace—his own employee—into the wall, an aggressive move that left both drivers out of contention for the win. Immediately after the incident, Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports slipped past to seize victory in the race, leaving Hamlin disappointed and Wallace’s playoff hopes in jeopardy.
The blow was especially difficult for Wallace, who now sits in a precarious playoff position before the upcoming Charlotte Roval finale. Despite dominating much of the 1.5-mile track, Toyota’s teams, including both Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing, failed to secure a win. With emotions running high and Hamlin’s actions drawing scrutiny, the pressure on both driver and team owner roles came into sharp focus.
Hamlin’s Viewpoint: Driver First, Owner Second
In the days following the clash, Hamlin addressed the controversy on his Actions Detrimental podcast, making clear that his primary responsibility on race day is to compete as a driver, regardless of organizational ties or personal connections to other competitors.
“If (listeners are) wanting an apology, they can turn it off now. Because I’m racing for the win and I definitely won’t apologize for racing for the win.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin emphasized that when he is behind the wheel of the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, his mindset is solely that of a competitor, not a team executive. He noted a widespread misunderstanding of the driver vs. owner dynamic, especially among fans and observers who expect him to behave differently toward 23XI Racing on the track.
“On Sunday, I am the driver. The person in the No. 11 car is the driver. That’s where the disconnect, I think, comes from, is that people expect me to be a different person,”
Hamlin said.
“They expect me to be the guy with the (23XI Racing) shirt on when I’m in the No. 11 car, and that’s just not possible. It’s not possible,”
added the JGR No. 11 driver.
Hamlin further clarified that he races everyone the same—teammates, employees such as Bubba Wallace, and even fellow Joe Gibbs Racing drivers like Ty Gibbs, pointing to a similar clash at New Hampshire as evidence of this consistency.
Responsibilities and Reactions Following Kansas
Making the delineation clearer, Hamlin described how his responsibilities as team owner and driver are divided depending on the day of the week.
“My responsibilities as the team owner come Monday through Saturday,”
Hamlin said.
“It is not up to me to get 23XI into the Round of 8, if that makes any sense. That’s not my responsibility.”
His primary focus is ensuring the success of the No. 11 car, aiming for championships with Joe Gibbs Racing—a sentiment he reinforced despite the difficult aftermath with 23XI Racing.
“My responsibility is to get the 11 into the Round of 8. I’m the driver on Sunday of that 11. Joe pays me a lot of money to make sure that that car wins a championship or has a shot to (win),”
Hamlin stated.
Tensions Between Hamlin and Wallace on Full Display
After the race, Bubba Wallace did not conceal his frustration, responding to Hamlin’s move by making an obscene gesture on the track and confronting the clash publicly. Hamlin, however, distinguished between their relationship on and off the track when reacting to Wallace’s response.
“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 don’t have an issue with that,”
he explained.
What Comes Next for Both Drivers and Teams
Moving forward into the Charlotte Roval, Hamlin enjoys a relatively secure position, sitting 48 points above the playoff cutline, well-positioned to advance to the Round of 8 for Joe Gibbs Racing. In stark contrast, Bubba Wallace faces a tough battle, trailing the cutoff by 26 points, making his playoff ambitions uncertain after the Kansas clash.
This recent incident and Hamlin’s perspective on Denny Hamlin driver owner dynamics highlight the tension inherent when one individual manages both team leadership and competitive ambitions. Michael Jordan’s involvement as co-owner of 23XI Racing adds a further layer of pressure and scrutiny. The coming weeks will test not only the performance of both drivers but also how NASCAR teams navigate delicate internal dynamics that can define success or disappointment in the championship run.
