Denny Hamlin gives Bubba Wallace a reality check after admitting sometimes he feels ‘he isn’t good enough’ to be in NASCAR

Bubba Wallace is infamous for being too hard on himself.

Denny Hamlin gives Bubba Wallace a reality check after admitting sometimes he feels ‘he isn’t good enough’ to be in NASCAR

Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin, Charllotte May 2022 (Credits: IMAGO)

Bubba Wallace is the most successful driver from the African American community in NASCAR and is the face of the sports’ diversity efforts. He is the most divisive character on the grid as many despise him for being the face of the sport despite not being the best driver, and there are also very few but very vocal groups of fans who hate him for his ethnicity.

What makes things worse is the fact that Wallace is infamous for being too hard on himself, which makes him overlook all his achievements in the sport. He had the best Cup season of his career in 2023, where he made it into the playoffs, R-12. But even during this period, Wallace was being too hard on himself.

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His boss and fellow driver, Denny Hamlin, are unhappy and concerned about Wallace. This is because the 23XI Racing driver admitted via Netflix docu-series, NASCAR: Full Speed, that he sometimes feels he doesn’t deserve to be in the top-tier driving in such fast cars. Hamlin, addressing it, reminded him that he deserves to be here and he shouldn’t be listening to a small group of fans who criticize him.

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It bugged me a little bit when I watched the Netflix thing, and Bubba, he’s always got this chip on his shoulder. He says, ‘We’re not supposed to be here.’ I was like, ‘Yeah you are. I expect you to be here.’ Just because a few fans don’t think you’re good enough personally to get there.
Hamlin said via Action Detrimental.

Denny Hamlin details his plans for Bubba Wallace and how he should progress

Hamlin pointed out that he and his team have given Wallace everything he needs to finish top-10 in points like he did in 2023. He said Wallace should focus on progressing slowly and steadily, taking small steps before considering the big picture. The JGR driver urged 23XI to start to work on his weakness and race craft to be better.

Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin
Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin (Credits: IMAGO)
You absolutely have everything that it takes to be a top-10 point guy, and then you figure out how to get a little better every single year. Then you start chipping away. ‘Okay, I’m gonna make the final eight this year.’ Then I’m gonna figure out, okay, where’s my weaknesses, let’s go work on that. And then I’m gonna get my way into the final four.
Hamlin said.

In the 2024 season, Wallace will get faster cars from 23XI racing. He should ignore the haters and listen to the advice of his boss. If he is able to use the resources at his disposal. he can easily win a race in 2024 and secure a good playoff run.

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