The Kyle Larson– Denny Hamlin incident during the Pocono Cup Series race has made multiple rounds of discussion and debate and criticism. Be it right or wrong, or just for the sake of racing, it cannot be overlooked that the two NASCAR aces are friends. Friendly competition is one thing, and jeopardizing a friend’s chance at performing well is another. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson have not been the only people involved in the debate, though.
The entire NASCAR industry has had something or the other to say about this ruthless incident. And this includes veteran NASCAR drivers like Kyle Petty. But this is a tricky thing to do for Bubba Wallace. Giving an opinion regarding a controversy that involves your employer may not be the best idea. However, in the latest episode of the MRN NASCAR Live podcast, he did just that with a curt 8-word response.
Bubba Wallace didn’t hold back his strong remarks
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23XI Racing is jointly owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, and Bubba Wallace is the first driver the two hired for the team. Hence, Denny Hamlin is not only a fellow racer for him but also his boss. But that did not stop him from being honest about his take on the Pocono incident.
When Kim Coon asked him the most asked question about this incident, Wallace made things very clear.
“What about racing friends? You know, Denny made a point to say, he actually races his friends harder. Where do you stand under that spectrum?” asked the journalist.
Bubba started the response with a relatable story about how he races his friends on the track.
“Yeah, I think the last time I raced my friend hard I was on the Michigan track race right and, you know, we race each other super hard right,” he began. But it was the next 8 words that affirmed where he stood on the matter.
It was quite brave of him to be this candid about his employer.
“You don’t put each other on the fence,” he explained, putting a stop to any debate that might ensue after this. “You can do anything else but that. You can’t ruin a guy’s day,” he concluded. Just like the other people in the NASCAR industry, it seems like he, too, felt that Denny had taken it too far this time.
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Denny Hamlin’s attitude perhaps made it worse
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More than Denny’s action, it was perhaps his nonchalant and unapologetic attitude about this incident that had angered fans and experts further. Denny had explained that his actions of making contact with Kyle Larson’s car were strictly for the purpose of the race. It was not indicative of the nature of their friendship in any manner.
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While he did manage to win the Cup Series race there, he received more booing from fans than cheering for his victory. And now, if his employee is also of a similar opinion, then it is perhaps high time that he mended his ways for the better.