Now that the Netflix show NASCAR: Full Speed has been out a while, Denny Hamlin admitted he didn’t like something Bubba Wallace said. As a NASCAR team owner and driver, Hamlin wears many hats, but he takes his ownership role very seriously.
When Hamlin brought Michael Jordan into the sport and formed 23XI Racing, there was a five-year plan. In five years, have a driver in the Championship 4. Compete for a championship.
This year, Denny Hamlin’s outfit had both drivers in the playoffs. Bubba made it to the Round of 12, finishing 10th overall. Tyler Reddick was in the Round of 8, and finished 6th overall.
That’s where the problem lies, Hamlin didn’t like the perception Bubba put on 23XI in the docuseries, as he detailed on Actions Detrimental this week.
“It bugged me a little bit when I watched the Netflix thing, and Bubba, he’s always got this chip on his shoulder,” Hamlin said. “He says, ‘We’re not supposed to be here.’ I was like, ‘Yeah you are. I expect you to be here.’ Just because a few fans don’t think you’re good enough personally to get there.
“You absolutely have everything that it takes to be a top-10 point guy, and then you figure out how to get a little better every single year. Then you start chipping away. ‘Okay, I’m gonna make the final eight this year.’ Then I’m gonna figure out, okay, where’s my weaknesses, let’s go work on that. And then I’m gonna get my way into the final four.
“It’s a slow and steady progression for sure, but as a team owner I expect my guys to compete for race wins each and every week because I believe we give them to resources to do that.”
Denny Hamlin is trying to build up Bubba Wallace
Over the last few years, Denny Hamlin has put a lot of faith and support into Bubba Wallace. So far, it has paid off. He continues to improve, he has won a couple of races, and earned a couple of pole awards – and he brings in sponsorship.
However, it is no secret that Bubba isn’t the most confident at times. He can get in his own head, get down on himself, and let it affect his racing. In the last couple of years, the driver has improved on short tracks, road courses, and just as a driver overall.
Still, there are times when, as Denny said, he has this chip on his shoulder. At this point in his career, with the sponsors, the organization he is with, and his success in the last few years – there is no underdog talk.
Tyler Reddick is ready to compete for a championship right now. I’d argue Bubba Wallace is closing in on that. They both excel on intermediate tracks. Bubba has the edge on superspeedways, and Reddick is one of the best road course racers in the Cup Series.
Denny Hamlin has two talented drivers who have two different mentalities. Reddick has two championships in the Xfinity Series. He has been seen as one of the more sure-fire things in NASCAR over the last few years. Bubba has had to earn his place a bit more, but at this point, he has to look around and realize he is right where he belongs.
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