Denny Hamlin is no stranger to making enemies on or off the racetrack. From fighting Joey Logano on pit road to fighting Marcus Smith on X, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver seems to enjoy his ‘villain’ role in NASCAR. However, when it comes to being co-owner of 23XI Racing, Hamlin seems to have unknowingly adopted the philosophy of ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’.

The NASCAR season returning means Hamlin’s podcast, Actions Detrimental, is back, and he shared his thoughts on ‘The Clash’ at Bowman Gray Stadium. While he finished 3rd, his 23XI Racing driver, Bubba Wallace, surprisingly put up a strong 5th-place finish. Hamlin heaped praise on Bubba’s new crew chief, Charles Denike, and also revealed the rowdy history that the two shared.

Denny Hamlin praises a special partnership

“That’s where I know you!” exclaimed Denny Hamlin when Charles Denike revealed their origins. On his podcast’s latest episode, Denny Hamlin revealed that Denike’s team and his team got into a fight during a late model race back in the day. “Our teams got in fight a couple of times in late models, I was the crew chief for Brandon Butler,” Hamlin said, detailing what Denike told him during their first interaction at 23XI. However, Hamlin then went on to sing high praise of Denike, who looks like he can turn around Bubba Wallace’s ship.

Hamlin expressed his optimism for the 2025 season. “I mean, at 23XI, we’re most excited about Charles Denike… We believe we found a rock star and, and Charles, I’m glad we found him… And so, I think he’s going to be a game-changer for 23XI and Bubba Wallace, I think that those two could really do something special this year,” said Hamlin.

The new season brings a new mindset to Wallace with Charles Denike by his side. Denike was previously crew chief for No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet with Christian Eckes. Now, switching from Chevy to Toyota is a drastic one, but Denike and Wallace hit the ground running at Bowman Gray, reminding everyone not to sleep on the No.23 this season.

Charles Denike’s first test as Wallace’s crew chief came in the 2025 Cook Out Clash at ‘The Madhouse’. While just an exhibition race, the event provided a glimpse of what this new pairing could achieve. Wallace’s fifth-place finish was his best result on a quarter-mile track in a Cup car. His previous best was 12th at the LA Memorial Coliseum in 2024.

For Wallace, this performance was more than just a good result. It was a sign that Denike’s influence was already making a difference. The chemistry between driver and crew chief is crucial in NASCAR, and early signs suggest that Wallace and Denike are on the same page. The duo showed solid communication and race execution, which will be essential as they tackle the regular season.

Before joining 23XI Racing, he built an impressive resume in the Craftsman Truck Series. In two years with Christian Eckes, Denike combined for seven wins, 25 top-5s, and 35 top-10s. Translating this level of consistency to a Cup car with a different OEM is no straightforward task, but Wallace is optimistic about his future with Denike.

Wallace, who has struggled with consistency in past seasons, sees Denike as the perfect fit. He praised Denike’s structured style, saying, “He’s super smart, he’s come from a military background. So he’s just very punctual, very set.” This type of leadership could provide Wallace with the stability he needs to take the next step in his career.

With Toyota’s support, Denny Hamlin’s belief in him, and Denike’s winning mindset, Wallace has all the tools to succeed. However, success in NASCAR is not just about having the right people—it’s about execution. The true test begins in Daytona, where Wallace must prove that this new partnership can translate into victories.

Bubba Wallace apologizes to Brad Keselowski

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The Cook Out Clash may have been an exhibition race, but ‘The Madhouse’ race wasn’t without drama. Bubba Wallace found himself in the middle of a heated moment when he made contact with Brad Keselowski, causing the RFK Racing driver to spin out. The incident occurred just past the halfway mark on lap 120. Wallace was running behind Keselowski and Ryan Blaney when he attempted to squeeze into a gap that didn’t quite exist.

Wallace bumped Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford, sending him spinning. While Wallace continued forward and secured a fifth-place finish, Keselowski fell back and finished 21st. After the race, Wallace admitted his mistake and took full responsibility for the incident. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Yeah, I hate that I got into the No. 6 [Keselowski]. I didn’t want to get a top-5 finish that way. He was doing everything he could to get down, and I got greedy and wanted to fill the hole. I didn’t think I hit him that hard, but obviously, I did. So, I apologize for that.”

Wallace’s aggressive move reflected his new mindset—he is determined to fight for every position. However, in a sport where respect between drivers is key, such moments can lead to friction. This also highlights the balance Wallace, and his crew chief Charles Denike, must find this season. While aggression and determination are necessary for success, reckless moves can backfire. The No. 23’s ability to learn from moments like this will play a crucial role in his growth as a contender. What are your expectations of Bubba Wallace in 2025?