Bubba Wallace has addressed the aftermath of the Bubba Wallace Kansas incident, sharing insights about his recent confrontation with Denny Hamlin ahead of a crucial race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The fallout from their clash during the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway continues to shape team dynamics and championship hopes for 23XI Racing.
Wallace Sheds Light on Conversation With Hamlin After On-Track Clash
During the Hollywood Casino 400, Denny Hamlin was not only chasing a personal milestone—his 60th Cup Series win and a secure playoff spot—but also competing against his own 23XI Racing driver, Bubba Wallace. Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing along with Michael Jordan, prompted surprise throughout NASCAR when an aggressive move resulted in Wallace’s car being taken out of contention at Kansas Speedway.
If Wallace had managed a win in Kansas, it would have marked his debut into the third playoff round, keeping at least one 23XI Racing entry in the championship running. After the race, tensions boiled over on pit road between Wallace and Hamlin, adding public scrutiny to their partnership and sparking debate among fans and peers alike.
It wasn’t until the following Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway that Wallace and Hamlin engaged in a frank one-on-one discussion about the incident.
“It’s definitely a somber week for sure. I hate that it got to this point,”
Wallace explained prior to the Charlotte Roval weekend on Saturday. – Bubba Wallace, Driver
Wallace detailed that he and Hamlin had a “good heart-to-heart conversation,” noting,
“The lingering effect, but Denny and I just talked 30 minutes ago. And it was a good heart-to-heart conversation. Came from a place of peace. Went better than I thought it would. He shared his side of things, and I shared mine, and we had common ground,”
he revealed. – Bubba Wallace, Driver
The driver further shared the tenor of their exchange, saying,
“I told him, and it was kind of funny because I kind of sent him on a detour when I said, because I said, you can go first,”
he continued. – Bubba Wallace, Driver
Recalling Hamlin’s reaction, Wallace added,
“Then he started talking, and five seconds in, I said, ‘Just so you know, I’m not mad about getting fenced, going for the win.’ And his eyes were like, oh, well, I need a second to reposition where I’m going to go,”
the Brickyard 400 winner added. – Bubba Wallace, Driver
Impact of the Kansas Clash on Wallace’s Playoff Hopes
Although the drivers appear to have addressed their issues, Wallace remains convinced that Hamlin’s move was viewed unfavorably by most observing the situation. The incident delivered a significant blow to Wallace’s playoff run, leaving him with a daunting 26-point gap to overcome as he heads into the elimination race at the Charlotte Roval. This setback has intensified the pressure on Wallace, who must now deliver an exceptional result to stay in championship contention.
“95% of people on this side of the catchfence, look at that move as ‘Oof,’ right? ‘Oof!’ That’s it. While the other 5%, whether they’re buddies or whatever, they don’t care. They see the other side of,”
he said. – Bubba Wallace, Driver
Hamlin’s Position Ahead of Charlotte and What Comes Next
Denny Hamlin approaches the Charlotte Roval in a markedly stronger position, sitting 48 points above the playoff cutline. Unless the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran experiences significant trouble during the race, his advancement to the next round is almost assured. In contrast, Wallace must produce an outstanding performance to recover the lost ground resulting from the Kansas incident.
With team leadership and future cooperation in the spotlight, the Bubba Wallace Kansas incident has intensified scrutiny of both driver relationships and championship strategies within 23XI Racing. How Wallace rebounds at Charlotte may determine the team’s prospects for the rest of the season, while Hamlin’s dual roles as owner and competitor continue to present unique challenges.
Bubba Wallace shared that he and Denny Hamlin cleared the air over the finish at Kansas earlier today. Said the conversation went well even if "the pain is still there a little bit"
Wallace let on that he had an issue with Hamlin's "I won't apologize" line the day after, and… pic.twitter.com/FLquMJUDIv
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) October 4, 2025
