Denny Hamlin‘s NASCAR racing style drew significant attention after last weekend’s gripping Cup Series event at Kansas, where his aggressive tactics in the final moments captured both admiration and criticism. Charging hard in the closing laps, Hamlin pushed for his 60th Cup victory, even as fellow driver Bubba Wallace and others reacted strongly to his assertive moves on the track.
Intensity and Determination in the Final Laps
Starting on the front row, Hamlin dominated the early stages of the race, taking both opening segments and staying out front for 159 of the 273 laps. In the race’s climax, Hamlin’s relentless pursuit led to a heated exchange with Bubba Wallace, who is part of the 23XI Racing team Hamlin co-owns. While Wallace voiced frustration about the on-track battle, several NASCAR figures, including analyst Steve Letarte and former driver Kyle Petty, highlighted the determination that defined Hamlin’s run.
Letarte, a former Cup crew chief, took a firm stance in support of Hamlin’s approach.
“We saw people race each other… Hamlin gets shot out of a cannon; he thinks he has to go, right? That’s what I think is the beauty of this restart is Denny Hamlin is not thinking about his team cars. The 19 tries to get the outside of the 20. There were so many examples of selfish race car drivers,”
Steve Letarte, analyst, said.
He elaborated on the broadcast and after the race, noting,
“And I said it on the broadcast, and I’ll say it again: I’ve been fortunate to see a lot of coworkers go into the Hall of Fame, and not one time did they say, X amount of wins, but this many times they push the teammate to the win… I like selfish, respect when you aren’t having the best day, but when you’re having a great day right here, Denny Hamlin is thinking about win 60 and only win 60,”
Steve Letarte, analyst, commented.
The Balance Between Teamwork and Individual Glory
Letarte pointed out that while Hamlin might regret blocking both Toyotas and allowing a Chevrolet to take the checkered flag, the passion and drive he showed were exactly what fans crave from top drivers. He argued that racing is at its best when competitors put victory above alliances, reinforcing the unique mentality that sets elites like Hamlin apart from the field. Letarte emphasized that fans may become disenchanted if drivers begin to defer for teammates instead of going all-in for the win.
“Racing holds true, it was beautiful. The trophy mattered the most,”
Steve Letarte, analyst, concluded. The sentiment shared by Letarte and echoed by Kyle Petty highlights how Hamlin’s singular focus on victory makes him stand out in the current NASCAR landscape.
Looking Ahead to Hamlin’s Milestone
With his 60th Cup Series win still on the horizon, Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR racing style continues to generate lively debate and excitement. His aggressive form at Kansas reaffirmed why he remains a central figure for organizations like Joe Gibbs Racing and why his career is followed closely by fans and fellow drivers. As Hamlin presses toward that coveted milestone, the conversation around balancing self-interest with team expectations remains as intense as ever on the Cup circuit.
