After a tense last-lap incident with Bubba Wallace at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Denny Hamlin has spoken out to defend his actions during the crash that ended both drivers’ chances of winning. The incident, which involved close racing and contact, led to heated discussions, with some fans questioning Hamlin’s decision-making.
One Twitter user, Jett Kraus, criticized Hamlin’s driving in the final moments, suggesting that the loss of power steering influenced his approach. Kraus wrote,
“I know a lot will bring up on how Bubba and Bell raced and how Denny raced Bubba are the same and while I understand that, I think what Denny did was more careless,”
adding,
“With no power steering I feel like Denny drove it in with the mindset of ‘if he’s in the wall so be it.’ Not only did he take himself out, he took out his driver and possibly a shot at any 23XI driver in the R8 and gave the win to a Chevy. Not smart.”
Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 car and is co-owner of 23XI Racing, responded firmly on Twitter. He clarified his perspective on the incident, emphasizing that he had taken precautions prior to the contact and believed his team deserved the victory. Hamlin wrote, “Give me a break,” before adding,
“I was off the gas and on the brakes 100yds before the 23 let off. I was turning as hard as I could given the aero situation. 11 team deserved that race. It didn’t work out.”
Overview of the Race and Final Moments at Kansas
During the Kansas race, Hamlin led for much of the earlier stages and appeared positioned for a strong finish. However, the loss of his power steering during the last run made handling difficult and directly influenced the competitive dynamics in the closing laps. Trying to pass Wallace on the inside, Hamlin’s car made door-to-door contact with Wallace’s, which sent Wallace into the wall and disrupted both drivers’ momentum.
Following the contact between Hamlin and Wallace, Chase Elliott took advantage by moving to the inside, making contact with Hamlin’s car, and ultimately securing the win. Hamlin’s challenges with his tight car hampered his ability to respond effectively to Elliott’s move.
Hamlin Reflects on the Disappointing Outcome
Speaking to NBC Sports after the race, Hamlin described his frustration and desire to win, acknowledging how close the team was to victory. He said,
“Just super disappointing, obviously. I wanted it bad,”
explaining,
“It would have been 60 for me and you know, the team just did an amazing job on the car. Really, really fast, gave me everything I needed. Got the restart I needed, just couldn’t finish it there on the last corner.”
Hamlin went on to highlight the difficulty of racing side-by-side with Wallace under his car’s conditions, stating,
“Obviously, got really, really tight with the 23 [Wallace] and I got really tight, and we let the 9 [Elliott] win.”
Implications for Hamlin, Wallace, and 23XI Racing Moving Forward
This incident underscores the high stakes and narrow margins at play in NASCAR’s competitive environment, especially when mechanical issues arise late in the race. Hamlin’s defense of Bubba Wallace last-lap contact signals his commitment to protecting his team’s interests amidst intense pressure. As co-owner of 23XI Racing, Hamlin also faces the challenge of managing on-track tactics while maintaining competitive harmony within the team.
The clash at Kansas could have ramifications for future races involving Hamlin, Wallace, and Elliott, as drivers and teams analyze how split-second decisions influence outcomes. Fans and analysts will continue watching how 23XI Racing rebounds after missing a potential victory and how Hamlin’s experience navigating this collision shapes his approach in upcoming competitions.
I know a lot will bring up on how Bubba and Bell raced and how Denny raced Bubba are the same and while I understand that, I think what Denny did was more careless.
With no power steering I feel like Denny drove it in with the mindset of “if he’s in the wall so be it”. Not only…
— Jett Kraus (@JettMDK) September 29, 2025
Give me a break. I was off the gas and on the brakes 100yds before the 23 let off. I was turning as hard as I could given the aero situation. 11 team deserved that race. It didn’t work out. https://t.co/oVq3hsI346
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) September 29, 2025
