Denny Hamlin Impressed with Bubba Wallace’s “Resilience” over Another Milestone Road Course Run

Over the last few years, especially since Tyler Reddick joined 23XI Racing, Bubba Wallace has made some massive stride in the road course races. His best performance ever came last Sunday in the inaugural San Diego Navy Base race, where the No:23 Toyota Camary racer took advantage of his rival’s misfortunate to finish P2 behind winner/teammate Corey Heim.

His boss Denny Hamlin was beyond impressed by the TRD driver clawing his way up from P13 at the start to P2, despite going two laps down. The veteran talked about his driver’s performance in the latest episode of his podcast, highlighting how impressed he is with the resilience shown by the driver and his team.

Drove straight from 12th or 13th right to P2… drove to the lead. He was up front. I mean, yeah, that’s impressive stuff… But this is one that, while you maybe think that hmm, man, I could have won if things would have played out correctly, you’re probably right but you’ve still got to be really happy with the day if you’re him and his team about the resilience of overcoming adversity.

Denny Hamlin said on his podcast.

Further talking about the point, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver pointed out that Bubba Wallace was really good from day one, considering he outqualified Tyler Reddick and Corey Heim, who are better RC driver that him. He was the best Toyota on the track for most of the race and Denny Hamlin was happy to see that as the team’s co-owner.

That’s what 90% of NASCAR is about is that the race never frickin plays out the way you think it’s going to. And then to go to a road course, something that for a while was not his forte by any means, to be the best qualifying 23XI car, probably the best Toyota, come back for two laps, drive through the field, drive to the lead, then you have the tire, you drive back to the front, it’s like really, really impressive and it’s something that like you’ve got to take your wins when you get ’em.

Denny Hamlin added via Actions Detrimental.

Denny Hamlin gives Bubba Wallace the perfect advice amidst winless run

Later talking about the point, Hamlin gave Wallace some words of wisdom. In his formative years in the Cup, the JGR racer was told by Mike Forde don’t be a miserable a-hole and celebrate small wins. The racer needs to understand they can’t win every time, so should set small goals to achieve in the future.

That’s the only way, because my gosh, Mike Forde told me my rookie year, ‘Denny, if winning is the only thing that brings you happiness you’re going to be one miserable a-hole,’. He’s like, ‘You’ve got to find little wins. You have to set goals. You have to understand that, yeah, while you always go to the racetrack thinking, ‘I’m going to win,’ sometimes you have to change your goals to be a little bit more realistic.

Denny Hamlin said.

The veteran told Wallace that he needs to realize he can’t every battle and should continue being resilient amidst the struggles. Because with the Toyota racer run showed he can get back to winning ways, like his teammates if he put more effort into it.

You’re racing against the best drivers…And this is one where I just see for Bubba Wallace and that 23 team they ought to pat themselves on the back of just the resilience and just the skill set that Bubba has gained on these types of racetracks.

Denny Hamlin added.

The comments from the champion driver are on point and is something Bubba Wallace needs to take to his heart. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the star driver next week at Sonoma, another road course race.

Also Read: “I Shared Your Number!” Denny Hamlin Makes Awkward Corey Heim Mistake Involving Carson Hocevar