Denny Hamlin has addressed the aftermath of the Bubba Wallace Kansas incident, responding to Wallace’s on-track gesture following their heated battle at Kansas Speedway during the Hollywood Casino 400. The Bubba Wallace Kansas incident has drawn attention for how it highlighted the competing roles Hamlin holds as both a Joe Gibbs Racing driver and a co-owner at 23XI Racing.
The dramatic moment unfolded in the final laps at Kansas Speedway, where Bubba Wallace appeared poised for victory before a showdown with Denny Hamlin in the overtime restart. Both drivers went hard for the win, but their clash resulted in Hamlin going up the wall, losing momentum, and ultimately costing a win for Toyota as Chase Elliott of Chevrolet capitalized to take the checkered flag on fresher tires.
In the wake of the incident, the frustration from Wallace was clear. The No. 23 driver expressed his emotions over team radio with strong language and made an explicit gesture toward Hamlin during the cooldown lap. Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and a leading driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, responded to the moment on his podcast, making it clear he held no resentment and emphasizing the competitive environment of the sport.
Hamlin said about the gesture,
“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 said (via Motorsport.com)
He further reflected on the nature of reactions during high-stakes racing, distinguishing between his roles as co-owner and competitor. Hamlin added,
“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….I don’t take that personally because I’m assuming we got someone that is on the field in the game in a heated moment. I give him grace for that because we are competitors on Sunday,” he added.
This perspective highlighted the unique challenge Hamlin faces, balancing his responsibility to his Joe Gibbs Racing team with his investment in 23XI Racing, a team co-owned by Michael Jordan that gives Wallace the opportunity to compete at a high level.
Chasing Records and Playoff Pressure
The race was also significant for Denny Hamlin’s personal ambitions. Hamlin was targeting his 60th win in the NASCAR Cup Series, which would have moved him into the all-time top ten, currently occupied by Kevin Harvick with 60 wins. The setback at Kansas means Hamlin’s milestone remains just out of reach.
For Bubba Wallace, the results at Kansas have intensified the pressure as he now finds himself in a must-win situation to advance to the next round of the NASCAR playoffs. The Alabama native is currently 26 points below the cutoff for the round of eight, sitting in tenth place, while his 23XI teammate Tyler Reddick trails closely by three points.
Hamlin Defines His Dual Role on Race Day
Amid questions about split loyalties, Denny Hamlin clarified his approach to competing for Joe Gibbs Racing while also owning 23XI Racing. Speaking directly to the challenges this dual role presents, he emphasized his focus when driving the No. 11 car for JGR.
“I’m the driver of the 11 on Sunday. Joe Gibbs pays me a lot of money to make sure that car wins a championship or has a shot to. And can you imagine the outrage if I just backed off and let (Wallace) have it?,” he said. (via aforementioned source)
His statement underscored the competitive tension that can arise when business interests overlap with the race itself, particularly with so much at stake for both the driver and his team.
This latest Bubba Wallace Kansas incident illustrates the intensity and complexity at the heart of NASCAR, where personal ambitions and professional relationships intersect on the track. As both drivers continue to push for victories and playoff advancement, all eyes will be on their next moves—especially as the championship race tightens and the pressure mounts for those below the playoff cutline.
