Chase Elliott Defender Denny Hamlin Throws HMS Superstar Under the Bus for Bubba Wallace

As the NASCAR regular season finale nears, the crescendo of excitement is reaching an almost incomprehensible peak. In just a few days, Daytona’s famed oval becomes the stage for high-stakes, do-or-die racing as only one coveted playoff spot remains, and Bubba Wallace teeters on the brink of his precarious situation. 16th place in the standings, he stands 32 points ahead of Joe Gibbs Racing‘s TY Gibbs.

Amidst apparent stress, his support is formidable as the 23XI team owner Denny Hamlin strips his sentiments, lauding his driver. He admittedly wishes the best “selfishly,” desiring Bubba’s triumph and secretly hoping rivals, particularly the No. 9 car, won’t close the gap. Denny Hamlin recently weighed in on Bubba Wallace’s remarkable performance, shedding light on his perspective during his ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast.

Denny Hamlin’s new outlook on Chase Elliott as Daytona looms ahead

Roughly a month ago, Denny Hamlin was passionately vocal in his support for the top driver at Hendrick Motorsports. His motivations remained shrouded in mystery, but it appeared that Hamlin had embarked on a personal mission to bridge the gap with Elliott fans.

In the Instagram video, Hamlin can be seen expressing his support stating, “Chase Elliott fans, let’s hold hands. We’re gonna unite, and we’re gonna will this thing to happen for you guys. I’m gonna die on this hill.”

Now, as we approach the days just prior to the Daytona event, a completely different narrative has unfolded.

In his recent podcast episode, Denny Hamlin was seen singing praise for his driver to claim the lone playoff berth, the same position Hamlin promised would be seized by none other than NASCAR’s golden boy, seemingly throwing the HMS star under the bus.

According to Hamlin, despite not clinching a first-time victory, Bubba managed to maintain his standing in the playoff competition. Hamlin acknowledged the pressure on Bubba, emphasizing, “He is one of the big guys this weekend at Daytona. He can win and lock himself in, or he can race well, stay above the cut line, and hope for someone who’s already won to win this race.”

Read More: One Year After Denny Hamlin’s Brutal Ross Chastain Retaliation Backfired, the NASCAR Community Digs Up Old Wounds

Hamlin expressed his dual perspective as both a team owner and a supporter of Bubba’s aspirations. He admitted his team’s selfish desire for Bubba to gain points over his competitors, especially the No. 9 Chevy of Elliott. “I think that selfishly we would like him to gain 39 points on the #9 [Chase Elliott] as a team owner, but I’m rooting for Bubba. I want him to run whatever race he needs to get himself into the playoffs. I think he deserves it. I think he’s working really hard. You saw the emotion that he had after Watkins Glen. That emotion stems from someone who is working really, really hard, and he’s finally seeing results.”

Reflecting on Bubba’s evolution, from seeking scapegoats to becoming a true leader

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Hamlin continued, further emphasizing Wallace’s recent achievement: “He ran 12th. He finished 12th, but he ran top 10 in both stages legitimately. Legitimately, it’s been a long damn time, maybe never has that been the case for Bubba on race day on a road course. So, I want to give him props and applaud him, pat him on the back. When I leave here and go to the 23XI meeting, I’m gonna do those same things because I’m proud of him, proud of the work that he’s putting in.”

Hamlin also reminisced about Bubba’s journey, noting his growth as a person and a competitor. He commended Bubba’s transition from seeking scapegoats for failures to taking responsibility and leading the team. Hamlin celebrated Bubba’s personal milestones, including his marriage, and applauded his determination on the racetrack. Ultimately, Hamlin expressed pride in Bubba’s evolving character and leadership, stating “I’m really proud of the man he’s becoming, the competitor that he’s becoming, the leader he’s becoming.”

Watch The Story: Denny Hamlin Warns Bubba Wallace To Watch Out Amid Creeping Playoff Desperation

As the tales of growth unfold, Daytona beckons, casting the spotlight on who will rise to claim their playoff destiny.