Denny Hamlin Exposes “the Key” to Bubba Wallace’s Brickyard 400 Win

23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin has revealed the significant factor that has helped Bubba Wallace to win at Indy.

Denny Hamlin Exposes “the Key” to Bubba Wallace’s Brickyard 400 Win

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

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23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace silenced the haters last Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway securing his maiden crown jewel win, surviving a double overtime battle with 2021 champion Kyle Larson. The Brickyard 400 win ended his 100-race winless streak, earned him a playoff spot and his boss Denny Hamlin is beyond impressed.

In the latest episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin shared his thoughts on how Bubba Wallace was able to secure the iconic win. He pointed out that all the credit for the win should go to the driver and his crew for the hard work they have put in. Charles Denike keeping the driver accountable and Wallace responding to it with hard work was the key to the Indy win.

He’s been working hard. His crew chief [Charles Denike] has definitely been doing a great job of giving him what needs, asking the right questions to Bubba, holding him accountable — I think that’s the key. What I hope that Bubba gets out of this is seeing his hard work that he’s putting in is paying off.

Denny Hamlin said via Actions Detrimental.

Then talking about his involvement in helping Bubba Wallace get back to his winning ways, Hamlin admitted that he has had limited impact. He admitted that there is so much he could do to inspire them to be hungry for wins, as at the end of the day, it’s on the shoulders of the personal to put in enough effort to be in form, when they have a solid car.

My toughest part, and it’s very hard to compare other drivers to myself, is that you can never make someone want it. They have to want it. That has to come from within, and how bad do you want it. Do you want to be elite? Do you want to be good or just another driver? That’s a question everyone needs to ask themselves and then what are you willing to do to be at that level.

Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin highlights Bubba Wallace’s emotional growth

Another major factor behind the rise in performance of Bubba Wallace in the 2025 season, that has now yielded him a win, has been his commitment towards racing and the emotional maturity he showed. In the Next-Gen era, more mental fortitude is demanded of the drivers as it hard to get back to the front row once there is a drop in form or consistency.

Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace
Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace (Via IMAGO)

I think over the last year, Bubba has committed more to putting the work in and I feel as though he’s matured emotionally. Everyone has peaks and valleys — I think his valleys are higher now than what they were.

Denny Hamlin said.

The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran highlighted how having his son Becks seem to have inspired the No:23 TRD driver to perform better. But there are also diffract factors, most of which should be credited to the driver himself, that has help them to be contenders and now a NASCAR crown jewel race winner, in one of the most iconic venues in motorsports.

You can relate it to having a son or whatever it might be, but it seems like over the last year, performance has gotten better in the 23 for various reasons, and I think a lot of that can be contributed to Bubba himself.

Denny Hamlin added.

The comments from the 23XI co-owner shows majority of the credit for the win should be vested with Bubba Wallace, as his earned that win with performing under pressure. Now with four more races left in the regular season, it would be interesting to see Wallace will perform with momentum on his side.

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