For the second consecutive race in the R-12 series, Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has faced criticism following incidents involving his teammates. At New Hampshire, he caused a spin involving Ty Gibbs, and last Sunday at Kansas, he collided with Bubba Wallace, co-owner and driver of 23XI Racing, sending Wallace into the wall with just half a lap remaining. These events have left Bubba Wallace feeling aggrieved, especially as Hamlin has publicly addressed the situation on his podcast, sparking discussion about their dynamic.
Denny Hamlin Reflects on the Incidents and His Expectations
On the latest episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin was questioned about any awkwardness between him and Wallace following the Kansas incident. He explained that his frustration stemmed from prior expectations, notably regarding Ty Gibbs, who was in the playoffs while Wallace, driving the No. 54 Toyota, was not.
“I think that’s where feelings can get hurt is when you have expectations, and those expectations aren’t met. It’s why I lost my temper last weekend. I had an expectation. I thought we knew that if you’re in the playoffs vs. out, the rules are different.” Denny Hamlin said via Actions Detrimental.
Hamlin emphasized that the disappointment from Loudon due to actions not aligning with expectations carried over into Kansas, where Wallace likely expected more leniency from his team co-owner and boss. Hamlin pointed out that Wallace’s hurt feelings come from a belief that Hamlin “owes him” something on the race track because of their working relationship.
“The actions didn’t meet my expectations, so then I got hot. And so, I think sure, if you think that I owe you this or that, your feelings are probably hurt today.” Denny Hamlin added.
While it may seem reasonable for Wallace to assume Hamlin would race him with consideration given their employee-employer relationship, this incident resembled typical competitor rivalry rather than team deference. Hamlin acknowledged that the dynamic between them has shifted, and Wallace no longer holds back, behaving as a racer determined to compete fully, even against his boss.
Hamlin Acknowledges He Might Have Raced Wallace Differently With More Time
During the same podcast, Hamlin broke down the decision-making process leading to the contact on the backstretch at Kansas. He revealed the split-second nature of his choices, noting that drivers have around one second to evaluate corner entry angles and the positioning of nearby cars, complicated further by the absence of power steering.
“I have about a second to analyze this as I’m going down the backstretch. As a driver, what I’m trying to do is figure out angles. What angle am I going to take this corner, where is the guy beside me — all those things play a factor in how deep you can drive into a corner or how shallow you need to be or whatever.” Denny Hamlin said.
Reflecting afterward, Hamlin admitted he would have approached the corner differently had he been aware of just how close Wallace was to his vehicle. He also suggested that his spotter might not have adequately communicated Wallace’s proximity.
“So, now that I can analyze this more out of the car and look at this more, again, while I’m in this car, in this cocoon going into Turn 3, I don’t even see the 23. I don’t know how close he is, I don’t know if he’s a car width up, is he right on my door. Those are all factors in how your car is going to take the next corner. And so, there are things I would do differently, no doubt about it.” Denny Hamlin added.
Hamlin’s admission highlights the intense pressure and complexity drivers face during races, particularly when split-second decisions can lead to crashes affecting teammates and rivals alike.
Impact of the Incident on Team Performance and Race Outcome
The fallout from the collision between Hamlin and Wallace significantly influenced the race outcome at Kansas. Neither Hamlin nor Christopher Bell secured the win; instead, Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports overtook four Toyota cars to claim victory. Hamlin acknowledged that his move impeded the Toyota Racing Development team’s momentum, ultimately benefiting Chevrolet in a key race.
This incident, following Hamlin’s previous clash with Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire, has raised questions about team cohesion and driver judgment within Joe Gibbs Racing and its affiliates. Hamlin has since addressed these tensions, including expressing regret over an earlier aggressive move involving Gibbs during a team meeting.
Bubba Wallace’s Perspective and the Changing Team Dynamic
Bubba Wallace’s feelings of hurt and frustration stem not only from the crash itself but from the evolving relationship with Denny Hamlin. Once a mentor and team leader, Hamlin’s expectations and racing approach now challenge Wallace’s assumptions about loyalty and race conduct within their organization. The shift suggests that competitive instincts are overriding hierarchical considerations, setting a tone for future races where both drivers may race aggressively, prioritizing personal results.
As the season progresses, this new reality could affect how team strategies are formulated and how drivers interact on the track, especially under high-stakes playoff conditions. Wallace’s sense that Hamlin “owes” him points to unresolved tensions that might influence their racing decisions and collaboration moving forward.
