Denny Hamlin Nearly Took Out Bubba Wallace at COTA to Crush Tyler Reddick’s Diminishing Argument

Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace’s relationship is a confusing one. Having withstood the test of time since 23XI Racing’s debut, the #23 Toyota driver has strengthened his dynamic with his rival and boss. However, in COTA’s final dash, there were some signs of an internal disagreement.

Earlier on Kevin Harvick’s podcast, Bubba Wallace’s partner Tyler Reddick shed light on how the 30-year-old hasn’t backed out from racing Hamlin hard, using Denny’s ownership against him. Reddick reasoned that being an owner, wrecking one of your cars can be super expensive. But for Denny Hamlin, it is a part of healthy competition within the team. The #11 driver unveiled the chaotic exchange between him and Wallace in the latest episode of ‘Actions Detrimental’.

Denny Hamlin unmasks his Clash with Bubba that FOX’s broadcast missed

For the driver-owner duo, COTA was an incredibly long day at the office. While Denny settled for a P14 finish, Bubba Wallace stood one behind in 15th. While most eyes were glued to William Byron’s crowning moment, Hamlin and Wallace tussled until the final exit. Reacting to Reddick’s revelation, the JGR driver said, “It’s funny yall say that. Because yall didn’t watch the last lap at COTA.”

“Me and the #23 fu**in bounced off each other and I’m thinking at the time, we’re battling for 14th, I’m like I want that spot. I’m faster, I ran him along the line. I want the spot. I get under him and 16… very similar to the Busch and C Bell thing.”

Denny Hamlin further stated that Bubba’s hits were intended to shake him but ended up helping him retain his spot.

“I dove in there pretty late but it came down to the apex and I clipped his left rear. That was the upside. Then we battled corner after corner side by side and on every exit I’m kind of using him as my eight tires are better than four. I start sliding on the exit and I’m like ‘Oh he’s there. I’ll just go there and lean on him. The whole last lap was a blast.”

It seems the heated tug of war is a regular occurrence between Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace. With COTA providing long straightaways for such battles, Hamlin didn’t hold back from giving his driver a taste of a thrilling ride.