Denny Hamlin, a NASCAR Cup Series driver, made headlines after noticeably ignoring insider Mamba Smith during driver introductions at Kansas Speedway, intensifying an ongoing dispute that began at Daytona. The latest Denny Hamlin driver incident unfolded ahead of the Mobil 1 301 playoff race, raising further questions among fans about the unresolved tension.
The public feud between Hamlin and Mamba Smith has its roots in an online altercation from about five weeks ago at Daytona. During the introductions at Kansas, Hamlin was filmed dismissing Smith’s presence, fueling speculation about their strained relationship. The footage, shared by VivaLaEthan, suggested a possible reconciliation if both parties appeared together on a podcast, but Hamlin has not commented on this idea.
Smith expressed his willingness to resolve the matter publicly, stating, “I would do it.” – Mamba Smith, NASCAR Insider. He also mentioned the possibility of Hamlin joining the Happy Hour Podcast, which Smith co-hosts with Kevin Harvick, or inviting Smith to appear on Hamlin’s Actions Detrimental podcast. So far, however, Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, has not responded to the invitation.
Currently, Denny Hamlin is fourth in the playoff standings, sitting just 48 points above the cutoff. At last Sunday’s race in Kansas, the Tampa-native secured a second-place finish behind Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott. Hamlin’s disappointment was clear about not seizing victory, as he shared his thoughts following the race:
“Just super disappointing,” Denny Hamlin said about his day.
“I wanted it bad. It would have been 60 (wins) for me. The team just did an amazing job with the car, just really, really fast. Gave me everything I needed. Got the restart I needed. Just couldn’t finish it there on the last corner.”
– Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
As attention now turns to the upcoming Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 5, Hamlin is preparing for a crucial 109-lap race on the challenging road course. The event is scheduled for broadcast on USA at 3 pm ET, where Hamlin will attempt to strengthen his playoff position.
Hamlin Discusses Balancing Driving and Ownership Responsibilities
Apart from his driving, Denny Hamlin is also owner of the 23XI Racing team, fielding cars for Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and newcomer Riley Herbst in the Cup Series. Despite his dual roles, Hamlin has emphasized that on race day, his primary focus remains as a driver, not a team owner, which has sometimes led to tension or misunderstandings among fans and rivals.
During Sunday’s playoff race at Kansas Motor Speedway, Hamlin’s aggressive approach showed as he slid into Bubba Wallace’s car during the final lap, underlining his clear competitive mindset. Addressing the complexity of wearing both hats, Hamlin remarked on his podcast,
“On Sunday, I’m the driver of the No. 11 car and not the owner of the 23 car,”
Hamlin explained in the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, via Yahoo Sports.
“That’s where the disconnect, I think, comes from is that people expect me to be a different person.”
– Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver and 23XI Owner
He further explained,
“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, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver and 23XI Owner
Despite being the longest-serving active driver in NASCAR’s premier series without a championship, Hamlin has had a strong season, ranking second in the standings. With five wins, 13 top-five finishes, and 16 top-10 results, he has proven himself to be one of the top competitors, accumulating 3,118 points so far.
The continuing dynamic between Hamlin and fellow key NASCAR figures like Chase Elliott, Mamba Smith, and Kevin Harvick keeps the Cup Series environment emotionally charged and competitive. As the playoffs advance, all eyes will be on Hamlin to see how he navigates both personal rivalries and his pursuit of a long-awaited championship.
I would do it. https://t.co/JsgRrSKrNK
— Mamba Smith (@MambaSmith34) September 29, 2025
