Denny Hamlin faced a critical moment during the final corner of the overtime lap at Sunday’s Denny Hamlin Kansas race at Kansas Speedway, where he collided with Bubba Wallace while contending for the lead. After taking time to reflect, Hamlin admits he would have handled the situation differently, revealing new insights into the split-second decision-making involved.
Reevaluating the Last Turn Battle with Bubba Wallace
In the decisive moment, Hamlin approached Turn 3 side-by-side with Bubba Wallace, but he inadvertently washed up the track and contacted Wallace’s car, which then brushed the wall. This incident opened a gap for Chase Elliott to surge past both drivers along the low line and claim victory. Since the race, Hamlin has reviewed the events more thoroughly.
“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,”
Hamlin explained on the Monday’s Actions Detrimental podcast.
The Tension Between Hamlin and Wallace After the Race
Wallace was visibly upset following the collision, expressing his frustration by giving Hamlin the middle finger and openly criticizing him. The circumstances are complicated since Hamlin co-owns 23XI Racing, Wallace’s team, while simultaneously driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. Despite the tensions, Hamlin stresses that he was focused on competing for the win as a driver.
Reflecting further on his choices, Hamlin acknowledged a more cautious approach might have been better, though he described this hindsight as “Monday morning quarterbacking.”
Had I seen what I see now, no question I would have backed off early because I would have thought, ‘You know what, he’s probably going to overdrive the corner, and I’ll just get back by him on the exit.’ But man, that’s Monday morning quarterbacking,
Hamlin stated.
“There’s no way in that split second decision, I don’t know that he’s right there and I have no gap between our cars. Had I known we had no gap between our cars, I would have known my car is about go straight, but I had no way of knowing that.”
Hamlin’s Perspective on His Racing Approach and Outcome
Hamlin led a race-high 159 laps and was chasing the milestone 60th victory of his NASCAR Cup Series career. He insists he stands by his aggressive attempt to win and refuses to apologize for the hard racing that characterized the final moments of the event.
I had no way to know, so I entered the corner the same amount to the same point I always let off, and my car went dead straight. And it’s because of the aero situation I was in. I was closer to the 23 than I had budgeted for. Unfortunately, it took us both up the track, I took him up the track, he bounced off the wall, I slowed down enough that we gave the 9 car the win. But that is racing, and I’m not gonna apologize for trying to win the race that the 11 car was the most deserving car to win that race, without a doubt.
Hamlin’s drive was fueled not only by chasing victory but also by his awareness of his career timeline.
“My mentality into the last corner was, I hope I win,”
he said.
“I’ve got 70 races left in my career. Three opportunities left to win a championship. I can win a championship as an owner for decades. The window is closing. Sixty is right in front of me at the track I got my very first start.”
Reflection on 23XI Racing’s Performance and Broader Impact
While Hamlin expressed sympathy for Wallace and his team, he also highlighted past struggles 23XI Racing faced, especially the poor showing at New Hampshire, which contributed to their position below the playoff cut.
Like, I want to be sympathetic, and I am sympathetic and I hate it that the 23 is below the cut, but 23XI ran like dogsh*t at f*cking New Hampshire and that’s why they’re below the cut. And I hate that for the drivers because unfortunately they had to drive that.
Hamlin’s comments underline a tense dynamic between his roles as competitor, owner, and team affiliate, emphasizing the intricacies of balancing these relationships under competitive pressure.
What This Means for Hamlin’s Career and Future Races
The Kansas clash brings into sharp focus the difficult decisions drivers like Hamlin face in high-stakes situations. His reflection suggests a learning curve even for seasoned competitors and highlights the razor-thin margins that define race outcomes. As Hamlin continues his dual roles in the NASCAR Cup Series and with 23XI Racing, managing on-track rivalries alongside ownership responsibilities will remain a significant challenge.
Hamlin’s candid reassessment serves as an indication that he is preparing to adjust his approach in future encounters with Bubba Wallace and other rivals, all while continuing to pursue vital career milestones and championships.
