Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently addressed the late-race collision between Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin at Kansas Speedway, emphasizing that Wallace had every reason to be upset after losing a potential victory. The incident occurred on the final restart when Hamlin made contact with Wallace while battling for the lead, ending Wallace’s chance at winning and dropping him outside the top four.
This situation was complicated by Hamlin’s dual role as a Joe Gibbs Racing driver and co-owner of Bubba Wallace’s 23XI Racing team. Both drivers remain contenders in the playoffs, which made their on-track competition tense and, in this case, bordering on aggressive.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Highlights Wallace’s Efforts and Reaction
Speaking during the Dale Jr. Download, Earnhardt pointed out the amount of effort Wallace had invested to position himself well in the race. He acknowledged the frustration Wallace must have felt given the circumstances.
“I just hate it because Bubba was in a good spot, you know. And Bubba did everything all day long to sort of put himself in a great spot and his own team owner.”
Earnhardt further noted Wallace’s professionalism in handling the situation publicly but affirmed his right to feel upset due to the incident.
“I think if you’re Bubba, it’s hard to go, ‘man, I don’t feel good about this and I don’t want to.’ … I think Bubba was very professional, did a great, great job in his interview, but he had every opportunity and every right to be frustrated about that.”
Wallace’s Position in the Playoffs and Season Context
Bubba Wallace is currently fighting to remain in the playoffs following a challenging season. His lone victory came at the Brickyard 400 in July, which was a significant moment for 23XI Racing, ending a long winless streak. After the Kansas race, Wallace ranks 10th in the playoffs, trailing the cutoff line by 26 points. His 23XI Racing teammate Tyler Reddick sits just behind him in 11th place, 29 points below the playoff cut.
Earnhardt Compares Performance of Wallace and Reddick
Earnhardt praised Wallace’s improvements this season, noting a notable shift in his performance since his win at Indy. He expressed confidence in Wallace’s ability to compete at a higher level.
“Bubba’s really kind of turned it up another notch this year. Seems like, since Indy, he’s sort of switched into another gear that I’ve never seen him really have before. Deserves to be up there. Can do it. Should be able to do it.”
In contrast, Earnhardt expressed concern about Reddick’s speed, suggesting that it has not met expectations throughout the season.
“Reddick worries me a little bit. I don’t see the speed that I think that they’re capable of.”
Playoff Implications and Looking Ahead to Upcoming Races
With only one race left in the Round of 12 at the Charlotte ROVAL, Wallace faces a critical deadline to close the points gap and advance in the playoffs. Other drivers like Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell have progressed into the Round of 8, underscoring the competitive intensity at this stage.
