Denny Hamlin road course struggles became a focal point after the recent NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Roval, where both Hamlin and Bubba Wallace left disappointed by their performances on non-oval tracks. The event, held over the weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, highlighted ongoing difficulties for Hamlin and his teammate, as both drivers wrestled with tire management and failed to secure top finishes.
Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin Face Persistent Challenges on Road Courses
Bubba Wallace entered the Charlotte Roval race knowing a win was the only way to keep his playoff hopes alive, but he ultimately fell short. Wallace openly acknowledged that neither he nor Denny Hamlin has been able to meet expectations when racing on road courses, citing repeated issues with tire management. He compared these struggles to their relatively solid performances on ovals, where both drivers have proven they can conserve tires and race competitively.
Just was thrown for a loop with this tire, and it is funny to look at myself and Denny (Hamlin) and a couple others at the short tracks, when tires degrade, we are pretty good at being able to save tire.
Bubba Wallace said after Roval Cup race (NASCAR on YouTube).
Despite their expertise on oval tracks, Hamlin and Wallace find themselves trailing leaders on road courses, unable to keep pace with frontrunners. Wallace candidly assessed their abilities, stating that when it comes to saving tires on road courses, both he and Hamlin find themselves lagging noticeably behind the competition. Among the pair, Wallace has noted that his own track history remains particularly poor, rarely breaking into the top 15, while Hamlin’s results, though occasionally landing in the top 10, fall short of his usual high standard on ovals.
Him and I both s**k on road courses and we can’t save tires on road courses. It is just frustrating. Frustrated at self, just knowing what was on the line, and didn’t produce.
Bubba Wallace added.
The sense of frustration was apparent after the race, as Wallace described their combined performance as disappointing, especially given the stakes for Sunday’s race. The veteran drivers’ inability to adjust their tire-saving strategies for road courses left them both trailing the leading pack, increasing anxiety and self-doubt. Wallace’s own feelings mirrored the broader mood in the 23XI Racing garage, as expectations were not met despite high hopes.
Wallace Reflects on Ongoing Disappointment and Team Effort
In his post-race interview, Bubba Wallace did not hide the frustration he felt about finishing well outside the playoff cutline. The results at Charlotte, as well as in the recent playoff round, brought back memories of past underperformances on similar tracks. Wallace conveyed how distressing it was to encounter familiar setbacks, feeling that his efforts were not rewarded with the outcome his team had aimed for.
It is just frustrating. It is back to how I was a couple of years ago. Frustrated at myself, just knowing what was on the line, and didn’t produce. But it wasn’t for a lack of effort.
Bubba Wallace said.
Wallace nevertheless expressed gratitude for the support of the Toyota team and the entire 23XI Racing organization, stressing that the work and commitment from the garage were never in question. Despite the high level of preparation and teamwork, his hopes faded as the weekend produced no tangible progress toward achieving a win.
I appreciate everyone on this Toyota team for pushing hard. This one s**ks worse than last week for sure. I had high hopes coming in here, and it is what it is.
Bubba Wallace added.
The events at the Roval have deepened Wallace’s frustrations, which have been further complicated by recent playoff drama. Last week, the driver was close to securing a victory at Kansas, only to be denied in the final moments due to a close incident involving Denny Hamlin, his boss and teammate. The sting of coming so close to victory, only to lose both the race and further playoff momentum, has amplified Wallace’s sense of disappointment.
Analyzing the Impact for Hamlin, Wallace, and 23XI Racing
The continuing Denny Hamlin road course struggles, paired with Wallace’s admission of shared weaknesses, bring significant implications for 23XI Racing as they look toward the remainder of the playoffs and beyond. The lack of progress on road courses underscores a technical and strategic challenge for both drivers, who have otherwise demonstrated strong capabilities on traditional ovals. Chase Elliott’s successful race win for Chevrolet further exemplified missed opportunities for both Hamlin and Wallace, who see their hopes for deeper playoff advancement jeopardized by ongoing shortcomings.
Going forward, the duo’s performances put pressure on their respective teams at Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing to develop better race strategies and adapt equipment for non-oval tracks. As the season advances, Hamlin and Wallace must address these competitive gaps if they hope to contend for future Cup success, limit further disappointment, and shift the narrative surrounding their road course results.
