On the final lap at Kansas Speedway, Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin made a bold move that ended up costing both himself and his teammates. He aggressively pushed 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace into the wall, killing Wallace’s momentum and harming the chances of Hamlin’s TRD teammates as well. This Denny Hamlin Kansas clash not only influenced the race outcome but also drew sharp criticism from former Cup champion Jeff Gordon, who believes Hamlin may regret this decision in the future.
Hendrick Motorsports and their driver Chase Elliott benefited the most from the chaos, with Elliott sneaking into first place to claim victory. Jeff Gordon, a four-time Bill France Cup winner, reflected on how such costly decisions can linger in a racer’s mind long after the race is over.
Jeff Gordon’s Perspective on Hamlin’s Aggressive Tactics
Gordon stressed the lasting effect of critical errors during races, emphasizing that bad decisions often stand out more than successes. He said,
“I can’t remember many of the ones I won, but I can tell you all the ones I lost. Those decisions haunt you, mis-shifts and bad choices on restarts and whatever it might be, especially if it was on your watch or in your hands.”
— Jeff Gordon, former NASCAR driver
He suggested that Hamlin could have opted for a more patient approach by taking the bottom lane to overtake Wallace instead of forcing him into the wall. Gordon also pointed out that Elliott’s win was not merely due to luck but a result of smart strategy calls, including a late-race tire change that gave Elliott the crucial edge.
“I don’t know what was going to happen there if Denny wrapped the bottom instead of kind of using Bubba up, but I still think Chase had a great shot at it because of the new tires and the run he had going into three.”
— Jeff Gordon, former NASCAR driver
Gordon Predicts More Winning Chances Ahead for Hamlin
While critical of the Kansas move, Jeff Gordon also praised Hamlin’s overall season and his potential moving forward. He noted that Hamlin has signed a new contract and is far from finished adding wins to his career. Gordon reflected on Hamlin’s disappointment at the outcome, especially since cautions disrupted what could have been a strong finish while leading the race.
“Yeah, Denny’s having a great year. He signed a new contract. I don’t think he’s done winning. But when you have the opportunity – he’s probably more disappointed that the cautions came out when he had the lead and wanted to see it finish out that way. But the way he’s running right now and the way that team is, I think he’s going to get some more opportunities.”
— Jeff Gordon, former NASCAR driver
Expert Analysis: How the Wallace Collision Could Affect Hamlin Financially
In a detailed review on The Teardown podcast, senior NASCAR journalist Jordan Bianchi weighed in on the fallout from the aggressive Kansas clash. Bianchi remarked that the incident had both upsides and significant downsides for Hamlin, particularly from a financial standpoint. The clash was a sharp reminder that, despite Hamlin’s team ownership ties, the confrontation was strictly driver versus driver.
“This was driver versus driver, this wasn’t driver car owner versus driver. Depending on what everybody wants to accuse Denny of, favoring his own team over the team he drives for, here’s the evidence. This answers it all. This could potentially cost Denny significantly, monetarily.”
— Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR journalist
The incident highlighted Hamlin’s fierce competitive spirit, which has been a key factor in his longstanding success. However, it also illustrates the risks he takes on-track, which may threaten not just race results but also his earnings going forward.
The Complex Relationship Between Hamlin and His 23XI Racing Teammates
Despite questions about possible favoritism toward 23XI Racing drivers, the Kansas altercation demonstrated that Hamlin races aggressively, even against his own teammates. This aggressive style earns him respect but also means he must accept the consequences when risks don’t pay off.
The Denny Hamlin Kansas clash has reignited debates in the racing community about his dual role as both a competitor and team owner. His unrelenting drive pushes him to race hard, but the fallout from incidents like this could have lasting implications for his career and team dynamics.
Implications for Hamlin’s Pursuit of a Cup Title
Denny Hamlin has pursued a coveted Cup title for nearly two decades, and moments like the Kansas incident may test his ability to balance aggression with judgment. While his competitive nature fuels his success, Hamlin must consider how such split-second decisions will impact his legacy and opportunities to win races in the future.
With a new contract and strong performances still ahead, Hamlin retains multiple chances to redeem himself and continue competing at a top level. However, experts like Jeff Gordon warn that the pressure of these decisions will intensify as Hamlin’s career progresses, with missed chances potentially looming larger over time.
