Dale Earnhardt Jr. Refuses To “Applaud” Denny Hamlin over Using up Bubba Wallace at Kansas

Dale Earnhardt Jr. criticized Denny Hamlin for his antics against Bubba Wallace in Kansas that put the latter at a massive disadvantage.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Refuses To “Applaud” Denny Hamlin over Using up Bubba Wallace at Kansas

Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace (via IMAGO), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (via Getty)

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Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace suffered from some disappointing circumstances at the Kansas race. In the final lap in overtime, Hamlin made a desperate move into Turn 3 while trying to pass the #23 driver.

The 23XI Racing boss crashed into the rear of Wallace, sending him into the wall and causing him to finish P5. As such, he then flipped off the #11 driver and said some strong words. Now, Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has fired some shots at the JGR veteran for his antics at Kansas.

Bubba Wallace was poised for a race win if it wasn’t for Denny Hamlin‘s ridiculous move on the final lap. Chase Elliott slipped by when the two drivers collided at the forefront. Although Hamlin slammed into the #23 car, he could manage to keep his car controlled and ultimately finished in P2. Meanwhile, Wallace lost crucial positions and finished P5, much farther back from his possible results.

Following the collision, Bubba Wallace was understandably agitated with Denny Hamlin and showed him the middle finger. He even went on to say some negative things about the latter, despite him being the boss. Although Hamlin understood Wallace’s anger in the moment, it did not help change the anger in the moment or the race results. Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighed in on the matter and provided his two cents.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke candidly about the incident and bluntly asserted that he could not applaud Denny Hamlin and his antics at Kansas. Dale Jr. believed that Hamlin shouldn’t have made such a desperate move, especially against the car he owned.

The NASCAR legend revealed that if he were in the situation and put one of his guys into the barrier, he would worry about the fires in the minds of people that he would have to douse.

No, I can’t applaud it, … Not like that, not with the car you own. If I was out there and drove down into the corner and put one of my guys into the wall, how much f*cking fires would I be putting out today?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on Dale Jr. download.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. labels Denny Hamlin’s Kansas antics as a ‘little too much’

Denny Hamlin lucked out and could finish in P2 despite making a blunder against his own car of Bubba Wallace. Although the pinnacle of stock racing is all about fierce competition on track, no matter against their own teammates, Dale Earnhardt Jr. insisted that Hamlin’s move wasn’t really called for.

Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin
Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin (Via @dennyhamlin/X)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. reflected that everyone on the track would race each other as their competitors, and that was completely understandable. However, Denny Hamlin’s move on Bubba Wallace was a little too much.

Dale Jr. acknowledged that the incident wasn’t the end of the world, and drivers were bound to face even more serious situations than this. Regardless, Hamlin could have played out the situation differently and maximized results for both himself and Wallace.

Everybody’s gonna race as their competitors, I’m just saying this is a little too much. … It’s not the end of the world, I just think he could have done it differently and one of the two cars wins the race. He doesn’t have to let up, he doesn’t have to fall in line. Why did he not go to the bottom, right?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. noted

Denny Hamlin remains the winningest driver in the 2025 season following his impressive performances throughout the year. Bubba Wallace, on the other hand, has also enjoyed quite an eventful season this time around.

Wallace made history after winning at the Indianapolis 500 and etched his name in history. Now, the two drivers cum colleagues would hope for better racing conditions between themselves in the coming races.

Read More: Denny Hamlin Declares RCR Cars Aren’t Sole Reason Behind Kyle Busch’s Dismal 2026