At Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin resolved the tensions that had built up following their clash at last weekend’s race at Kansas Speedway. The confrontation stemmed from a last-lap incident where Hamlin’s move forced Wallace into the wall, allowing Chase Elliott to pass and secure the race win and a spot in the Round of 8. The discussion marked a crucial step in easing the friction between the two drivers, both connected through 23XI Racing, where Hamlin is a co-owner.
Details Behind the On-Track Conflict and Wallace’s Grievances
Wallace emphasized that his frustration was not with Hamlin’s competitive racing but rather with Hamlin’s positioning during the battle. He was disappointed that Hamlin refrained from running the low line while they raced side-by-side, which Wallace believed allowed Elliott to sneak past and claim victory. This dissatisfaction deepened as Hamlin stated on his podcast that he felt no need to apologize for the incident.
“It was just the way it was kind of handled behind the scenes, just kept going, kept adding fuel to the fire,”
Wallace said.
I hate that it got to that point and I expressed my displeasure to Denny today and he totally respected that.
Hamlin’s Perspective and Efforts to Mend the Situation
Hamlin told reporters at Charlotte that he had believed things were settled, especially after Wallace briefly embraced him on pit road following the Kansas race. He admitted he was unaware of Wallace’s continuing frustration until recently.
“I didn’t, truthfully, know he was upset,”
Hamlin revealed.
If I’m being honest, I listened to his post-race (interview) and when I heard him say it was two guys going for it and he came over and shook my hand — it was quick but he did — I truthfully didn’t know he was upset. But I should have at least checked with him to make sure and that’s on me.
Hamlin also explained that the face-to-face meeting took place on Saturday because he preferred addressing the matter directly rather than through other channels.
Reconciliation Marked by Honest Dialogue and Mutual Respect
The conversation between Wallace and Hamlin was described by Wallace as a transparent and peaceful exchange, during which both parties shared their perspectives and found common understanding.
“It was a good, heart-to-heart conversation,”
Wallace said.
It came from a place of peace. It went better than I thought it would. He shared his side of things, and I shared mine and we had common ground.
Wallace’s Apology to Bell Highlights Importance of Respectful Competition
Beyond his issues with Hamlin, Wallace also addressed a separate incident involving Christopher Bell during the Kansas race. After running Bell up the track following the final restart, Wallace reached out to apologize, clarifying that his intent was to make Bell lift rather than cause a crash.
“I texted (Bell) after the race and said my full intentions were to make you lift, not put you in the fence, and I apologized for that,”
Wallace told reporters.
He took it, I guess, as best as he could, but I reached out immediately because I saw the replay after the fact, and was like (darn), I did not want that.
Bell acknowledged the apology and stressed its importance, emphasizing how meaningful such actions are in the sport.
“I appreciated that he acknowledged it for sure. It is what it is.”
“I’m a big believer in apologies. The actions afterward matter equally as much, but apologies absolutely do matter.”
What the Resolution Means for Future NASCAR Competition
This reconciliation between Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin after their tense Kansas Speedway encounter holds significance for their partnership in 23XI Racing and the NASCAR competition landscape. With clear communication restored, both drivers can focus on performance without lingering resentment. Wallace’s willingness to accept responsibility with Bell also demonstrates a commitment to respect and sportsmanship that may influence how on-track incidents are handled moving forward. Their ability to address disagreements openly suggests a more constructive atmosphere ahead as the season progresses through the playoffs.
#NASCAR … As Denny Hamlin talked to us on pit road, Bubba Wallace came by for a brief embrace. pic.twitter.com/8yBMRB2PtT
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) September 28, 2025
