Bubba Wallace’s career breakthrough has caught the attention of NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin, who continues to express his amazement at Wallace’s rise in the Cup Series during the 2025 season. With a string of impressive results, including a major win at the Brickyard 400, Wallace has reached new heights while racing for the No. 23 Toyota Camry under the 23XI Racing banner.
Denny Hamlin Notes Bubba Wallace’s Unprecedented Growth
Since joining 23XI Racing, Bubba Wallace’s progress has been undeniable, especially over the last five years. This season marks a turning point, as Wallace has secured more wins, led a personal best of 368 laps, and once again earned a place in the Cup Series playoffs. Denny Hamlin, both a co-owner at 23XI and host of the Actions Detrimental podcast, openly discussed his reactions to Wallace’s performances. During a recent episode, Hamlin shared,
“the fastest freakin’ car we’ve got.”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner/Driver
The transformation in Wallace’s consistency and racecraft stood out to Hamlin, as he commented,
“Bubba’s turnaround over the last few years has just been — I can’t believe it, truthfully,”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner/Driver
Hamlin credited both Wallace’s growing maturity and the strategic guidance of new crew chief Charles Denike. The No. 23 car has frequently set the performance standard for 23XI Racing this year, with Hamlin emphasizing,
“The maturity he has shown — he’s been the lead car at 23XI really the entire year. I think the 45 [Tyler Reddick] might have him on average finish because he doesn’t have as many DNFs, but the 23 has been the fastest freakin’ car we’ve got, and that’s something that just, I can’t believe it.”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner/Driver
Hamlin further acknowledged the changes within the team as a catalyst for Wallace’s elevated status among competitors, saying,
“Whether it’s [new crew chief] Charles Denike and his setups or Bubba’s mentality, something changed over there that has made Bubba someone you’re going to have to contend with every single week. And you’re gonna have to contend with him this weekend, by the way,”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner/Driver
With his skills rapidly advancing, especially on road courses, Hamlin voiced his pride in Wallace and the entire No. 23 group:
“If you haven’t seen his road-course skills, they’ve dramatically improved. I couldn’t be more proud of that 23 team and what they’re doing week in, week out.”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner/Driver
Strong Showing for Wallace at Kansas Speedway
Bubba Wallace continued his impressive year with a top-five finish in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, finishing fifth after a hard-fought race. Both Wallace and Hamlin were in contention for the win, demonstrating the competitive nature within 23XI and underscoring Wallace’s growth as a driver. Reflecting on the close battle, Hamlin described his emotions following the race:
“I thought we had an incredible finish. I hate that we didn’t win, and then my second hate is that the No. 23 car didn’t win,”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner/Driver
Hamlin praised the thrilling conclusion and acknowledged the drive and passion shown by both racers:
“But man, it was an exciting freaking race, and that was two competitors going for it. Bubba knew it meant a lot to him. I knew it meant a lot to me.”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner/Driver
Hamlin also addressed any speculation about favoritism, making it clear his approach was fair and competitive:
“I tried to make the move I made to win. I raced hard. I never, ever want to be accused of racing with bias. This should certainly silence that. But I mean, we had a great finish — something I hope the fans can be happy about.”
– Denny Hamlin, Co-owner/Driver
Bubba Wallace, after the race, expressed gratitude for his team’s support and maintained a lighthearted rapport with Hamlin, reflecting the positive culture at 23XI Racing. The teamwork between Wallace, Hamlin, and crew chief Charles Denike continues to drive their success as they aim for continued achievements in the Cup Series playoffs.
Wallace’s Rise Shapes the 2025 NASCAR Season
Bubba Wallace’s career breakthrough, fueled by strategic changes and strong collaboration with key figures like Denny Hamlin and Charles Denike, is not only elevating his profile but also energizing the team and fan base. With the playoffs underway and momentum building from victories like the Brickyard 400 and impressive runs at Kansas Speedway, Wallace has positioned himself as a leading contender in NASCAR. As the race for the Cup progresses, all eyes remain on Wallace’s next moves and the potential for even greater achievements this season.
