The Denny Hamlin NASCAR Kansas incident in the Cup Series playoff race led to strong reactions and disappointment from Bubba Wallace and his team on Sunday in Kansas, with emotions still turbulent as the results impacted their playoff hopes. A tense final lap and Hamlin’s aggressive maneuver cost Wallace a win and intensified feelings within the No. 23 team while affecting the race‘s outcome for several contenders.
Wallace’s Spotter Responds to the Kansas Incident
Freddie Kraft, who spots for Bubba Wallace, discussed the pivotal Kansas race moment on the Door Bumper Clear podcast. Kraft acknowledged he was not overly angry about Hamlin’s move that blocked Wallace from the victory, but he did not hide his frustration either, especially with what’s at stake for their playoffs standing. Kraft offered a candid take on the emotional aftermath:
“I’m not really mad at him. I’m a little disappointed,”
Freddie Kraft, Spotter for Bubba Wallace
He explained that the competitive tension was typical at this stage:
“It’s just guys racing hard. We raced the 20 (Christopher Bell) just as hard two laps before that. You’re pushing for everything you can. Obviously, our season is on the line there for us. We’re not mathematically eliminated, but going to the Roval 20-something (points) out with Bubba is probably not ideal.”
Freddie Kraft, Spotter for Bubba Wallace
Kraft further pointed out that Hamlin was chasing a milestone 60th career win and did not blame him for the determined effort, even though it ultimately allowed Chase Elliott to pass both drivers and claim victory.
Final Lap Drama Shapes Playoff Race
On the final overtime lap, Denny Hamlin made contact with Wallace, sending him high into the wall, which caused them both to lose position and allowed Elliott to take the checkered flag. Kraft criticized how the situation unfolded:
“poor execution to just run up into us and all the 9 (Elliott) car to get by both of us.”
Freddie Kraft, Spotter for Bubba Wallace
This moment was pivotal, as Wallace and his team knew the consequences for their championship ambitions were serious, with the incident knocking Wallace out of direct contention for an automatic Round of 8 Playoff spot.
Bubba Wallace Reflects on Comeback and Lost Opportunity
Despite finishing fifth, Wallace evaluated the positive strides made by his team, considering how the race had started. He admitted disappointment, particularly noting the playoff implications and the tough path ahead while remaining focused on the effort and improvement shown throughout the event. Wallace offered his perspective looking back on the result:
“To even have a shot at the win with the way we started, I told Post, You could have fooled me,”
Bubba Wallace, Driver
Having missed out on clinching an automatic playoff spot, Wallace praised his team’s work but acknowledged how the outcome felt, especially in the heat of the moment. He reflected on his growth and maturity, balancing his frustrations with sportsmanship and the realities of pressure racing:
“Toyotas were super-fast, and proud to be driving one. I thought it was meant to be, and then it wasn’t. All in all, the positives, though, we were minus 26 coming in — or minus 27 coming in. We’re minus 26 leaving. We gained a point.”
Bubba Wallace, Driver
What’s Next for Wallace and the Playoff Picture
Bubba Wallace’s fifth-place finish at Kansas keeps his playoff hopes alive, but only just, leaving him outside the advancing positions and under pressure going into the Roval. The Denny Hamlin NASCAR Kansas incident not only shifted Wallace’s trajectory but also highlighted how racing among top competitors like Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott comes down to aggressive battles and split-second decisions. As the playoffs progress, all eyes will be on whether Wallace, Hamlin, and their teams can recover, adapt, and push through the turbulence triggered by Sunday’s dramatic finish.
