Denny Hamlin faced a tense final lap at Kansas Speedway, where his No. 11 car made contact with Bubba Wallace in a battle for the lead. The incident helped Chase Elliott steal the victory and secured his spot in the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 8. On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin addressed whether there will be lingering tension with Wallace and 23XI Racing, providing insight into how expectations and competition shape relationships in NASCAR, both on and off the track.
Key Highlights
Hamlin contacted Bubba Wallace on the final lap of the Kansas race.
Chase Elliott capitalized on the incident to win and advance in the playoffs.
Hamlin addressed potential “awkwardness” with Wallace on his podcast.
Wallace acknowledged the incident but focused on the positives for his team.
Wallace will need to win at the Charlotte Roval to advance in the playoffs.
Denny Hamlin on Expectations and Emotions
Hamlin explained that the tension stems from unmet expectations, whether on the track or within team dynamics.
“I think that’s where feelings can get hurt is when you have expectations, and those expectations aren’t met. It’s why I lost my temper last weekend. I had an expectation. I thought we knew that if you’re in the playoffs vs. out, the rules are different. The actions didn’t meet my expectations, so then I got hot. And so I think sure, if you think that I owe you this or that, your feelings are probably hurt today.” – Denny Hamlin
He referenced an earlier incident with Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs, where aggressive racing led to contact and a wreck. Hamlin drew a parallel to his final-lap contact with Wallace, noting that intense competition can create conflict without lingering personal resentment.
Kansas Lap Incident
On Sunday, Hamlin, who also co-owns 23XI Racing, collided with Wallace during the final-lap restart in overtime. Both drivers were competing for the lead, and the contact ultimately allowed Chase Elliott to drive by and secure victory. Wallace acknowledged the challenge but maintained perspective on the race.
“To even have a shot at the win with the way we started, I told Post, You could have fooled me. We were not good. We missed it on the fire-off speed. I just really appreciate the team. Two years ago, I’d probably say something dumb. He’s a dumbass for that move. I don’t care if he’s my boss or not. But we’re going for the win. I hate that we gave it to Chevrolet there.” – Bubba Wallace
Wallace added that despite the disappointment, he focused on the positives for his team.
“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
Playoff Implications
The contact had major implications for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Had Wallace won at Kansas, he would have advanced to the third round. Now, he remains below the cut line and faces a must-win scenario at next Sunday’s Charlotte Roval race to avoid elimination. Hamlin emphasized that his responsibility on Sundays is to race his No. 11 car to the best of his ability, regardless of ownership duties.
“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
This perspective clarifies that competitive instincts during a race can override potential ownership concerns, even when co-owners and employees are on the track together.
News in Brief: Denny Hamlin Speaks Out on Relationship Update with Bubba Wallace
Denny Hamlin confirmed there will be no long-term tension with Bubba Wallace or 23XI Racing following their Kansas contact. Hamlin emphasized that Sundays are about racing his No. 11 car, not acting as team owner. Wallace acknowledged the incident but focused on positives, noting minor gains despite falling below the playoff cut line. He now must win at the Charlotte Roval to advance. Hamlin’s approach separates driver responsibilities from ownership duties, ensuring competitiveness while maintaining respect.
ALSO READ: Fans Criticize Denny Hamlin’s Move That Hurt Bubba Wallace
