The Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway concluded with dramatic tension as Denny Hamlin’s “selfish” move disrupted his own team and reshaped the outcome of the race. On a chaotic two-overtime finale, the 23XI Racing co-owner aggressively pushed for the win, colliding with teammate Bubba Wallace and allowing Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott to claim victory. The incident ignited a fierce debate across NASCAR, with former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Steve Letarte defending Hamlin’s aggressive tactics as the essence of competitive racing.
Chaos Unfolds in Final Laps Amid Multiple Restarts
With just eight laps remaining, a spin by Carson Hocevar triggered the eighth caution, throwing the race into turmoil. During the first overtime restart, intense jockeying saw Chase Briscoe dive low while Bubba Wallace defended his position. However, a crash involving Zane Smith scattered the field, leading to a ninth and decisive restart. Hamlin positioned himself directly behind Wallace, while Briscoe aggressively pushed Christopher Bell on the outside. The high stakes prompted every driver to aggressively pursue the win with the track openings wide.
NBC analyst Steve Letarte commented on the reckless competitiveness driving the drivers:
“When you talk about trophies, the last thing I want to hear is teammates. And that’s what we got. We saw people race each other… once you get to this point of the corner, Briscoe climbs the banking. He says, ‘I have to win.’ Hamlin gets shot out of a cannon and he thinks he has to go. That’s the beauty of this restart is Denny Hamlin is not thinking about his team cars. The 19 (Briscoe) tries to get the outside of the 20 (Bell). There were so many examples of selfish race car drivers.” (6:27 onwards)
Hamlin’s Aggression Alters Race Outcome in Turn 3
On the final restart, Hamlin drove deep into Turn 3, making contact with Bubba Wallace and causing both Toyotas to slide up the track. This created an opening for Chase Elliott, who charged from eighth place to seize the lead on the last straightaway and win the race. Wallace managed to finish fifth despite the crash, while Hamlin was left to justify his calculated gamble that ultimately allowed Chevrolet to celebrate rather than Toyota, his manufacturer.
Letarte highlighted Hamlin’s mindset and the raw nature of pursuit in racing:
“Denny Hamlin is thinking about win 60 and only win 60. I’m sure he’ll kick himself tomorrow because he eliminated both Toyotas and a Chevrolet went through, but the fan should rejoice at the aggression that 11 drove into Turn 3 with… The trophies mattered the most and I celebrated it.” (7:24 onwards)
Frustration from Toyota Amid Dominance Lost
Toyota had dominated the afternoon, leading 236 of the 273 laps and occupying six of the top seven positions near the end of the race. Yet, the hard-earned grip slipped away as Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet, the only Chevrolet in the top eight, capitalized on the chaos to secure victory. The dramatic finish underscored the razor-thin margins in NASCAR where a moment’s hesitation or aggression can determine the fate of multiple teams and manufacturers.
Hamlin’s Perspective: Racing for Himself, Not the Team
Despite the fallout, Denny Hamlin expressed no remorse for his actions, emphasizing his role as a driver first and foremost. The result pushed Bubba Wallace 26 points below the playoff cutline heading into the Bank of America ROVAL 400, a track where Wallace has struggled historically, while Hamlin remains safely above the cutoff by 48 points.
“If they’re (fans) 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… On Sunday, I’m the driver. The person in the 11 car is the driver. That’s where the disconnect comes from, people expect me to be the guy with the 23XI shirt on, when I’m in the 11 car, and that’s just not possible,” Hamlin said on Actions Detrimental (22:07 onwards)
Wallace’s Reaction Reflects Mixed Emotions
Bubba Wallace handled the incident with measured honesty, revealing how his feelings about the crash have evolved over time.
“Two years ago, I’d probably say something dumb — ‘He’s a dumbass for that move. I don’t care if he’s my boss or not. But we’re going for the win. I hate that we gave it to Chevrolet there,” Wallace said post race.
Playoff Implications as the Cup Series Moves to Charlotte ROVAL
Looking ahead, the NASCAR Cup Series shifts focus to the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte, the final playoff cutdown before the Round of 8. Wallace faces a daunting challenge needing a top performance to keep his championship hopes alive. Meanwhile, Hamlin approaches the race with some security despite a modest history there, with just one top-five finish in seven starts. The contrasting positions set the stage for high-pressure racing in the next critical event of the season.
The Kansas finish illustrates the complex balance between individual ambition and team dynamics, as Hamlin chose to prioritize his chance at a milestone victory over protecting his teammate’s position. Such moments often define racing seasons, influencing manufacturer standings and reshaping championship trajectories.
