Denny Hamlin’s championship hopes, strengthened by a dominant car at Kansas Speedway, now face fresh uncertainty after a dramatic race filled with setbacks and off-track complications. Despite leading the majority of the event and entering the playoffs well above the cut line, Hamlin and the No. 11 team must overcome both mechanical misfortune and mounting off-track distractions if they are to secure the NASCAR Cup Series title this season.
Setbacks Tarnish a Promising Run at Kansas
Following a triumphant outing at World Wide Technology Raceway, Hamlin’s momentum appeared undeterred as racing resumed in Kansas. The veteran driver, who had boldly challenged critics just weeks prior, commanded the Kansas lap count by leading 159 of 273 laps. With the championship picture heating up, Hamlin seemed poised to capitalize, but mechanical gremlins intervened. Approaching the final 50 laps, Hamlin reported trouble with his power steering. While this issue was not immediately fatal for the Joe Gibbs Racing star, it began to erode his lead.
As the race neared its waning laps, the No. 11 squad was still positioned for victory until a faulty jack during a scheduled pit stop shuffled Hamlin from the front to seventh place. With less than 10 laps remaining, the door appeared all but closed on his shot at securing another win in his championship pursuit.
Yet the contest was far from settled. A spin by Carson Hocevar triggered a caution, pushing the field into an intense overtime sequence. Chaos erupted on the first overtime attempt, with Zane Smith’s car flipping in turn four, prompting another restart. On the second attempt, a hardened scramble ensued. Hamlin surged into second position, directly behind Bubba Wallace, and as the two entered turn three, Hamlin’s aggressive move forced Wallace toward the wall. Hamlin completed the pass, but Chase Elliott, leveraging newer tires, overtook Hamlin in the final moments to claim victory. Neither Hamlin nor Wallace—who drives for Hamlin’s 23XI Racing team—managed to secure the win, leaving frustration in their wake.
Drivers React to Race’s Dramatic Conclusion
Hamlin was candid about the challenges that emerged during those decisive final laps.
“We had no power steering that last run, and low voltage,”
Denny Hamlin, driver
He elaborated on the bitter disappointment:
“Just a lot of things. And just couldn’t, I just, just disappointing, because I don’t think I’ve ever had a car that good to the competition. I wanted it for my dad, I wanted it for everybody. Just wanted it a little too hard.”
Denny Hamlin, driver
Bubba Wallace, Hamlin’s team driver at 23XI Racing, offered a blunt view of the late-race contact and missed opportunity, referencing his own growth and relationship with Hamlin:
“Two years ago, I’d probably say something dumb,”
Bubba Wallace, driver
He continued, interjecting strong emotion and frustration:
“He’s a dumbass for that move, for sure. I don’t care (whether) he’s my boss or not. But we’re going for the win. I hate that we gave it to Chevrolet there. Toyotas were super fast, and [I am] proud to be driving one. I thought it was meant to be, and then it wasn’t.”
Bubba Wallace, driver
Playoff Picture: Who Is Safe and Who Is at Risk?
The fallout from Kansas significantly impacts the postseason landscape. Bubba Wallace, after missing out on a potential win, now sits 10th in playoff standings, 26 points behind the advancement line as the Round of 12 nears its conclusion. Pointing out small gains, Wallace referenced that the No. 23 team has at least improved their position by a slim margin since entering Kansas.
Hamlin, in contrast, remains in a far more comfortable spot, ranked fourth and carrying a 48-point buffer above the cutoff. Historically, though, the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL—next in the playoff schedule—hasn’t been favorable to Hamlin, yielding only a single top-10 finish in seven tries. Even with this track record, his healthy point margin is expected to assure passage into the Round of 8 barring disaster.
Nevertheless, the looming Round of 8 has consistently spelled trouble for Hamlin in recent postseason campaigns. Last season, despite strong performances, several playoff competitors clinched victories in the critical round, forcing the No. 11 out of the championship hunt. A particularly costly crash at Homestead-Miami Speedway and a near-miss against Ryan Blaney at Martinsville just last year contributed to Hamlin’s exit. In 2022, Ross Chastain’s high-risk “Hail Melon” maneuver edged Hamlin out of the final.
Challenges Beyond the Track Cloud Hamlin’s Quest
This year, Hamlin’s journey toward a title is hindered by more than on-track adversities. An ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR, driven by Hamlin’s 23XI Racing camp, hangs over the season—its trial is set for the offseason, but the months of legal negotiations and the uncertainty for his racing team provide a persistent distraction. Such external stressors are unusual for a top-level driver amid a championship run.
Internal team dynamics are also at play. Hamlin’s late race move at Kansas potentially impacted not only his fortunes but also Wallace’s increasingly tenuous playoff situation. Tyler Reddick, another playoff contender from 23XI Racing, finds himself even deeper in the hole, trailing Wallace by three points and 29 points under the cut line.
Hamlin’s obligation to Joe Gibbs Racing and to his own organization makes the strategic balance delicate. Critics may question his decision-making, especially given the high stakes for both his and 23XI’s title aspirations. With potential for inter-team conflict—recalling earlier tensions between Hamlin and Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire—Hamlin must be mindful of not unintentionally igniting disputes that could further complicate the playoff picture.
Mounting Pressure and Unanswered Questions Heading Into the Next Round
While Hamlin is a seasoned competitor with two decades at the Cup Series level, the combined weight of championship pressure, team responsibilities, and lingering issues threaten to become significant distractions. Questions remain about team harmony—especially regarding past friction with Ty Gibbs—and how unresolved matters might play out as the season advances. The threat of any further in-team confrontations could hinder Hamlin’s focus when every point counts.
Experience and maturity are certainly in Hamlin’s favor; compared to his early NASCAR years, he’s shown an ability to compartmentalize off-track drama. But the playoffs are unforgiving: the smallest misstep or distraction can decide the championship. Time and again, Hamlin and his team have looked like favorites before mishaps derailed their campaigns. This year, to finally lift the Bill France Cup, Hamlin must demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity—both on track and off.
