At the Hollywood Casino 400 in Kansas on Sunday, an intense moment unfolded between Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace, two prominent figures in the Bubba Wallace NASCAR feud. Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing alongside Michael Jordan but drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, aggressively pushed Wallace into the wall during the final laps, sparking tension and debate over his responsibilities as both a driver and part-owner. Despite the collision, Hamlin maintains that his priority on race day is to compete fiercely, regardless of team affiliations.
Balancing Racing Competitiveness with Ownership Responsibilities
The incident at Kansas saw Hamlin’s pursuit of his 60th NASCAR Cup Series victory end prematurely as Wallace’s No. 23 car struck the wall during double overtime, allowing Chase Elliott from Hendrick Motorsports to seize the win. This outcome left both Hamlin and Wallace without the victory and placed Wallace in a precarious position within the playoffs, ahead of the crucial Charlotte Roval race weekend. Meanwhile, Toyota’s hopes for a strong team performance fell short despite their dominant showing earlier in the event.
Addressing the aftermath on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin made it clear he will not apologize for the on-track contact. He expressed,
If (listeners are) wanting an apology, they can turn it off now. Because I’m racing for the win and I definitely won’t apologize for racing for the win.
Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver and Team Owner
Hamlin emphasized the clear line he draws between his role as a driver during races and as a team owner off the track. He explained,
On Sunday, I am the driver. The person in the No. 11 car is the driver. That’s where the disconnect, I think, comes from, is that people expect me to be a different person,
and continued,
They expect me to be the guy with the (23XI Racing) shirt on when I’m in the No. 11 car, and that’s just not possible. It’s not possible.
These comments highlight his view that racing decisions are made independently of his ownership duties.
Distinct Roles in the Heat of Competition
Hamlin further clarified that his driving approach toward Wallace reflected how he would compete against any rival, including his own teammates — a stance reinforced by a previous clash with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire. On managing his responsibilities across both roles, Hamlin stated,
My responsibilities as the team owner come Monday through Saturday,
adding,
It is not up to me to get 23XI into the Round of 8, if that makes any sense. That’s not my responsibility.
He stressed his focus remains on advancing his own championship chances:
My responsibility is to get the 11 into the Round of 8. I’m the driver on Sunday of that 11. Joe pays me a lot of money to make sure that that car wins a championship or has a shot to (win).
This distinction underlines the dual priorities Hamlin holds within NASCAR’s competitive environment.
Reactions and Implications Following the Collision
Wallace openly expressed his frustration after the race by giving Hamlin a middle finger and publicly calling him out, reflecting the high emotions involved in the Bubba Wallace NASCAR feud. Despite this, Hamlin downplayed any personal animosity, explaining,
If he were to flip me off at 23XI as the car owner, we would have an employer, employee problem but as a competitor, he flipped off the driver of the 11. I don’t have an issue with that.
His perspective separates the professional conflict on the track from their working relationship off it.
Currently, Hamlin sits comfortably with a 48-point cushion above the playoff elimination zone, securing his chances to advance into the Round of 8. Conversely, Wallace faces a challenging pursuit to overcome a 26-point gap if he hopes to continue his championship bid. This tension underscores the high stakes as both drivers gear up for the decisive Charlotte Roval race, where playoff spots will be finalized.
The Bubba Wallace NASCAR feud reveals the complex dynamics when competitive drive intersects with team ownership, highlighting the difficult decisions drivers face when racing teammates or employees. How this rivalry develops in the coming races could have significant effects on playoff outcomes and the broader NASCAR landscape.
