Denny Hamlin is one of the most talked-about drivers as we head into the playoffs. The man with a reputation for being the villain has eyes on him since he and his partner Michael Jordan decided not to sign the charter agreement for 23XI Racing. This brought about many rumors from fans who are blaming NASCAR for Hamlin’s engine issues during the Atlanta qualifiers. But that’s not all.
With 23XI Racing not signing the deal, many are wondering what this means for Bubba Wallace, who does not have a contract for next season. This started when one of the investors from 23XI Racing wore a peculiar teeshirt with a message asking fans not to ask him about the team’s charter decisions. According to Kenny Wallace, the team checked out the charter agreement with their lawyers and might have found something that did not sit right with them. In all this commotion, Bubba Wallace hangs in the middle, as he is not sure if he will have a car to race in 2025.
Denny Hamlin speaks about Bubba Wallace’s security in NASCAR
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NASCAR has taken bold steps to close the charter negotiations, which have been ongoing and contentious, creating friction with 23XI Racing. NASCAR sent a proposal to teams with a Friday deadline, threatening to revoke existing charters for those who didn’t accept the offer. This charter is valued between $30 and $50 million.
Despite the risk, 23XI Racing, along with Front Row Motorsports, rejected the proposal. Denny Hamlin has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the terms, further straining the relationship with NASCAR. However, during a recent interview with Bob Pockrass, Hamlin shared a few details on where he stands on the negotiations.
Without 23XI Racing having a charter for 2025, Bubba Wallace is left clueless and seatless for next season. Pockrass asked Hamlin about Wallace after a conversation with the No. 23 Toyota driver, saying, “Bubba said that, you know, he’s waiting on this deal to get signed for him to get his deal finalized. Is there any concern that this lingering deal is affecting your future?”
Hamlin gave a vague response that does not speak in favor of Bubba Wallace as he explained, “Anything in the future is certainly, you know, depending on things like that, so certainly.” With this, Bubba Wallace’s future hangs in balance. He did not make it into the playoffs this year, but that does not seem to be the reason why he might not race next season.
Denny Hamlin referred most questions to the team statement as far as 23XI Racing not signing the charter agreement. He said he’ll be able to keep focus. And he did acknowledge that not having a charter deal yet impacts things, such as finalizing a deal with Bubba Wallace. pic.twitter.com/Rqs6Dmokhb
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 7, 2024
What’s your perspective on:
Is Denny Hamlin's defiance a bold move or a reckless gamble for Bubba Wallace's future?
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While Denny Hamlin has not given a proper answer for the fans, Bubba Wallace is actually worried about his future. Bubba Wallace is directly compared to Tyler Reddick, as they both drive for the same team, but on one hand, Reddick won the title of the regular season champion, and the No. 23 Toyota driver did not even make it into the playoffs. So let’s see what exactly is bothering Bubba Wallace heading into 2025.
Bubba Wallace is worried about his future
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Bubba Wallace, who drives for 23XI Racing, has expressed his worries about his future, fearing for his “life and livelihood” due to the uncertain outcome of these negotiations. His concerns are only getting more serious because of the fact that his contract extension remains unresolved.
The rebellion by Hamlin and Jordan against NASCAR has left the future of 23XI Racing and its drivers, including Bubba Wallace, in a precarious position. Without clarity or resolution in the charter negotiations, the team cannot make significant decisions, including Wallace’s contract extension.
Adding to the stress, Wallace is expecting a baby in October, which means he needs to know what he is doing in the future as raising a child can be expensive, and losing his job before the baby would only be harrowing news for him. Now, many fans are hoping that 23XI Racing and NASCAR sort out their differences and Bubba Wallace finds himself a seat for 2025.
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Do you think that 23XI Racing will clear out their differences with NASCAR and race next year? Will Bubba Wallace get a contract extension? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Is Denny Hamlin's defiance a bold move or a reckless gamble for Bubba Wallace's future?