Dale Earnhardt Jr. was not shy in providing his opinion on the Denny Hamlin incident with Bubba Wallace on the Hollywood Casino 400. The late-race collision not only denied Denny Hamlin a chance to win but also brought up NASCAR-wide controversy over whether or not he took things too far, injuring a colleague team member.
Some people justified his aggressive method, but Earnhardt Jr. doubted the wisdom of the decision that Denny Hamlin made, and indicated that smarter choices.
The Incident That Split the NASCAR World
As the laps went on, Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 Toyota attempted to pass the No. 23 of Wallace, but at the last moment. Both drivers are from the 23XI Racing team, which is co-owned by Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan.
However, instead of being handed out for a free ride, the act of Hamlin forcing Wallace about the wall rattled and bumped both drivers and evoked excitement in the fans.
“Denny Hamlin’s late-race clash with Bubba Wallace at the Hollywood Casino 400 has split opinion in NASCAR. Critics questioned his aggression against a driver from his own team, while supporters praised the intensity. Dale Earnhardt Jr., like Steve Letarte and Kyle Petty, backed Hamlin overall but noted he should have been smarter, suggesting Hamlin protect the bottom line instead of risking conflict with Wallace,” as reported by Neha Dwivedi of The Sports Rush.
Critics online wasted no time calling out Denny Hamlin’s decision-making, labeling the move reckless and unnecessary. With the NASCAR playoffs in full swing, some argued the clash was a “self-inflicted wound” that cost the team valuable points. Others defended Hamlin’s refusal to back down, praising his relentless intensity.
As one fan put it: “Denny’s a racer through and through. He’s not here to play nice, he’s here to win.”
What Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Other Analysts Are Saying
The incident hasn’t just divided fans; it’s also sparked lively discussion among NASCAR analysts. Dale Earnhardt Jr., speaking on his Dale Jr. Download podcast, tried to balance praise with critique.
“I like Denny going for it. I think he could have done it differently to not let someone else win. I like Denny going for it, but I think he just sent it a little bit too hard. You can’t put 23 in the wall, even though Denny gave him a car length and a half. Denny knows how the aero works… I don’t know truly if the 23 getting into the wall is all Denny or a little bit of both of them.”
“Why didn’t he go to the bottom, right? Why did he drive into the corner and up the track and just totally take away the 23’s line? He had other ways to approach the corner. Not that they would have worked. I mean, the likelihood of him completing the pass is not that high.”
Steve Letarte and Kyle Petty echoed these thoughts. Both respected Hamlin’s competitive spirit but criticized the judgment behind the move. Letarte stressed the importance of “protecting the bottom line,” while Petty pointed out that Hamlin risked more than he gained by forcing the issue against Wallace.
What It Means for 23XI Racing
To Denny Hamlin, who at the same time owns 23XI Racing in partnership, the crash had more than mere race accident connotations. Being a driver, he is connected to take all chances. However, as a team owner, he should consider the greater good, team harmony, playoff positioning, and long-term growth.
That’s the challenge now facing 23XI Racing. Can Denny Hamlin, the competitor, coexist with Hamlin the co-owner? And how does Wallace, who took the brunt of the contact, respond in the weeks ahead?
As the NASCAR playoffs continue, this Kansas clash will linger. Denny Hamlin’s refusal to ease up has always been part of what makes him one of NASCAR’s fiercest competitors. But in this case, it may have come at the cost of unity within his own team.