There is a prevailing narrative that Bubba Wallace was just unlucky in not winning at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway this past weekend.
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of the 23XI Racing team that Wallace runs with, doesn’t quite see things that way.
Bubba started with high hopes from the pole position, and led the race for 37 total laps, but couldn’t maintain the pace needed to secure the win and a subsequent playoff spot.
Wallace’s involvement in a late-race crash significantly hampered his chances, not only damaging his car but also his position on the track, pushing him back into the field where he ultimately finished 16th.
Hamlin though, doesn’t think he would have won the race regardless.
RELATED: Bubba Wallace’s Wife Responds After Crash Erases His Playoff Chances: ‘It Just Hurts’
Denny Hamlin Torches Bubba Wallace ‘Unlucky’ Narrative
Hamlin discussed the race at Darlington during an appearance on the “Actions Detrimental” podcast. In particular, he analyzed Wallace’s decision not to pit for tires during the NASCAR Cup Series race.
That decision sparked considerable debate among fans and analysts with some criticizing the move – or lack of one – as a critical error that cost Wallace a better finish.
“Do you think this plays out differently for Bubba if they choose to take tires and pit?” the host asks.
“Nothing ch-” Hamlin replies, presumably an indication he was about to state that ‘nothing changes’ if he grabs the new tires.
Wallace, he believes, was not destined to win the race anyway based on his observations.
“No, because I still don’t think he was going to win the race. The way it turned out, with Briscoe winning, he was going to have to win,” he explained. “Bubba wasn’t ahead of Kyle at that time. Kyle was going to come out in front of him regardless.”
Disappointment, But A Silver-Lining
Following the race at Darlington, Hamlin seemed upbeat about Bubba Wallace’s future with 23XI Racing.
“If they run next year like they’ve run the last 10-12 races, they’re going to be in the playoffs,” he said. “No sweat. So, I think my message to them is, ‘Stay on the track that you’re at and sometimes you gotta walk before you run.”
Wallace’s wife Amanda said her husband’s inability to win or secure a playoff spot was heartbreaking.
“Really tough night, really proud of my husband, been a hard-fought regular season, will still be hunting for wins this year, but this just hurts,” she wrote on Instagram.
More about:Motorsports
Read This Next
