Denny Hamlin’s controversial final-lap maneuver in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway has ignited debate throughout the NASCAR community. The Denny Hamlin Kansas incident has come under greater scrutiny following analysis by key team figures and strong public reactions, with questions swirling over whether the move cost both Hamlin and Bubba Wallace a potential win.
Late-Race Collision Alters Outcome at Kansas Speedway
In the dramatic closing moments of the Hollywood Casino 400, held at Kansas Speedway, Denny Hamlin’s attempt to overtake Bubba Wallace during the final overtime restart became the turning point of the race. With two laps remaining, Hamlin, piloting his Joe Gibbs Racing machine from sixth place, made his move to get past Wallace, who was leading at the time. Contact ensued between the two Toyota drivers as they entered Turn 3, causing both to lose momentum. The incident cleared the path for Chase Elliott, who seized the lead and ultimately took the checkered flag.
Hamlin had been a dominant force for most of the day, leading 159 laps, clinching both stages, and consistently posting the fastest times on the track. However, Hamlin revealed to his crew that he experienced a loss of power steering around Lap 214, presenting a significant challenge in maintaining vehicle control during the race’s closing sections.
Chris Gabehart Analyzes Team Dynamics and Pressure
The aftermath of the Denny Hamlin Kansas incident extended beyond the track, with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio releasing a video featuring Joe Gibbs Racing Competition Director Chris Gabehart. In the clip, Gabehart discussed the intricate relationship between Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing, the significance of teamwork, and the difficulties both drivers faced with the finish so near.
“I can’t speak to all alliances, but I can tell you that we work very closely with 23XI and vice versa. From lap one of the season till the final lap in a season, or all laps kinda in between, it’s just, it is big part of what it has been for some time and will continue to be.”
– Chris Gabehart, Competition Director
Gabehart emphasized the importance for each team to prioritize their own interests, particularly in the hunt for a win.
Adding,
“I think it’s really important, both teams having said again, yourself in your own door number and doing the things that are most important for your own door number. And then especially at the end of a race when you’re racing for a win, again, the dynamic between Denny the driver and Denny the owner, 23XI, all those things.”
– Chris Gabehart, Competition Director
Gabehart also recognized the dramatic circumstances that unfolded during the race’s climax.
“I mean, we couldn’t quite write this script this dramatic if we tried. I’m aware about that. But reality is, he’s going to win.”
– Chris Gabehart, Competition Director
Defending Hamlin’s efforts in the contested moment, Gabehart added,
“He was going for a win and nobody can blame him for that. Certainly not me.”
– Chris Gabehart, Competition Director
Fan Backlash and Driver Response on Social Media
Reactions from the fan base were swift, as social media users weighed in on whether Hamlin’s action harmed his own and Wallace’s playoff ambitions. One NASCAR fan, Jett Kraus, publicly criticized Hamlin’s overtake attempt, suggesting it was risky and detrimental to both teams’ chances of advancing further in the season.
“I think what Denny did was more careless. With no power steering I feel like Denny drove it in with the mindset of ‘if he’s in the wall so be it.’ Not only did he take himself out, he took out his driver and possibly a shot at any 23XI driver in the R8 and gave the win to a Chevy. Not smart.”
– Jett Kraus, NASCAR Fan
Denny Hamlin responded directly to the fan’s accusations by offering insight into his decision-making and the technical difficulties he faced late in the race.
“Give me a break. I was off the gas and on the brakes 100yds before the 23 let off. I was turning as hard as I could given the aero situation. 11 team deserved that race. It didn’t work out.”
– Denny Hamlin, Driver
What the Outcome Means for the Playoff Picture
The ripple effects of the Denny Hamlin Kansas incident were felt beyond the race results, as both Hamlin and Wallace now face crucial circumstances in the NASCAR Playoffs. Chase Elliott capitalized on the misfortune of the two Toyota drivers to claim his second victory of the season, securing a coveted place in the Round of 8. Hamlin finished in second place, while Wallace, having fallen behind in the closing laps, completed the race in fifth.
The focus now shifts to the next round at Charlotte, the final race in the Round of 12. Bubba Wallace, sitting below the playoff cutline, must deliver a strong showing to fight for his championship hopes. The continuing partnership and rivalry between drivers and teams, coupled with the technical pressures and intensity of the playoffs, promise more drama as the series progresses.
🎬 "We couldn't quite write the script this dramatic if we tried, I'm aware of that."@JoeGibbsRacing Competition Director @CG1751 speaks on the finish at @kansasspeedway between @dennyhamlin and @BubbaWallace and JGR's alliance with @23XIRacing.
More → https://t.co/MKhd9eLpQA pic.twitter.com/tyrMxIlB4V
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) October 1, 2025
