Denny Hamlin Blames Bubba Wallace for Daytona Pileup Crash Involving Alleged Intentional Spin Vote Incident

Just 27 laps into the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway, a massive wreck collected about a dozen cars, including bubble driver Alex Bowman.

The wreck began when Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch got tangled together in the tri-oval, and ultimately ended Wallace’s night, but also collected 23XI Racing teammate Riley Herbst, as well as his boss, Denny Hamlin.

On his weekly podcast, Actions DetrimentalHamlin analyzed the wreck and the root cause of it.

“It looked like to me that Bubba just squeezed those two guys below him down,” explained Hamlin. “You could just see that they’re there, two cars on the inside. “I don’t know what Freddie [Kraft, #23 spotter] was calling. Maybe he was saying three wide top or not — I’m not sure, but he [Wallace] just squeezed on down there and there was no room. So he ended up wrecking himself, and obviously a few others.”

Some mentioned how Kyle Larson was pushing Wallace, and he may have had an impact on where that No. 23 ended up in that situation. However, Hamlin seemed to disagree.

“I’m looking at it and I don’t think so. The #5 [Larson] was already on him close, but no. That’s just the #23 not clear. It’s just one of those not clear moments.”

Hamlin soldiered on to a 25th-place finish, but it continues a streak of bad finishes for him at the iconic superspeedway. He crashed on the final lap of the 2025 Daytona 500 while battling for the win, and he has zero finishes higher than 17th in all eight Next Gen era races at the track. That is quite the surprise, as Hamlin is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 with the previous generation of car.

Photos from Daytona – Race

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

Daytona – Saturday, in photos

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What specific evidence is Denny Hamlin using to support his claim that Bubba Wallace intentionally spun him out?

The Daytona Crash: A Breakdown of the Incident

The recent NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway ended in a massive 15-car pileup, and the fallout has been notable. Denny Hamlin,driver of the #11 Joe gibbs Racing Toyota,has publicly placed blame on Bubba Wallace,driver of the #23 23XI Racing Toyota,alleging an intentional spin that triggered the wreck. This incident is further complex by a pre-race vote regarding the implementation of a new pit road speed limiter, where Wallace’s vote reportedly differed from Hamlin’s. The core of the controversy revolves around accusations of retaliatory driving and the impact on the championship standings.

What Happened on the Track?

The crash occurred late in the race,with several drivers vying for position. Hamlin was attempting a move when contact with Wallace sent Wallace spinning. Multiple cars behind were unable to avoid the chaos, resulting in significant damage and ending the race under caution. Initial replays showed the contact between hamlin and Wallace, but the intent behind the maneuver remains hotly debated.

Key Players: Denny Hamlin (#11), Bubba Wallace (#23), and numerous other drivers involved in the wreck.

Location: Daytona International Speedway, Florida.

Timing: late stages of the NASCAR Cup Series race.

Result: 15-car pileup,race finished under caution.

The allegations: Intentional Spin and the Vote

Hamlin’s accusations are serious, suggesting Wallace deliberately caused the spin as a response to the pre-race vote. The vote concerned a new pit road speed limiter, a safety measure intended to reduce speeds during pit stops. Sources indicate Wallace voted against the limiter, while Hamlin supported it. Hamlin has stated on social media and in interviews that he believes Wallace’s actions were a direct result of this disagreement.

The Pit Road Speed Limiter Debate

The proposed pit road speed limiter has been a contentious issue within the NASCAR garage. Proponents, like Hamlin, argue its a necessary safety precaution, citing recent incidents involving crew members. Opponents, including Wallace, express concerns about the limiter impacting race strategy and potentially creating new hazards.

Safety Concerns: The primary driver behind the speed limiter proposal.

Strategic Implications: Concerns about how the limiter would affect pit stop timing and race outcomes.

* Driver Disagreement: A clear divide among drivers regarding the necessity and effectiveness of the limiter.

Hamlin’s Specific Claims

Hamlin has been vocal about his belief that Wallace intentionally spun him out. He’s pointed to the timing of the incident and Wallace’s history of aggressive driving as evidence. He has also alluded to the vote as a motivating factor,suggesting Wallace was attempting to retaliate for Hamlin’s support of the speed limiter. NASCAR is currently reviewing the footage and gathering information to determine if any rules were violated.

NASCAR’s Response and Potential Penalties

NASCAR officials have acknowledged the incident and are conducting a thorough inquiry. The potential penalties for intentionally causing a wreck range from fines and point deductions to suspensions. The severity of the penalty will depend on NASCAR’s assessment of Wallace’s intent.

potential Penalties Breakdown

Here’s a look at the possible consequences Wallace could face:

1. Fine: Monetary penalty.
2. Point Deduction: Loss of championship points.
3. Suspension: Temporary ban from racing.
4. Probation: Conditional participation in future races.

The Precedent: Past NASCAR Controversies

NASCAR has a history of dealing with on-track incidents and accusations of intentional wrecks. Several high-profile cases have resulted in significant penalties, setting a precedent for how similar situations are handled. Remember the Jeff Gordon/Clint Bowyer incident at Phoenix in 2012? That resulted in a hefty fine and probation for Bowyer.This case will likely be compared to that one.

Impact on the NASCAR Playoffs and Championship Contenders

The Daytona crash has significant implications for the NASCAR Playoffs. Several drivers involved in the wreck are championship contenders, and the damage to their cars could impact their performance in the upcoming races. The incident also adds fuel to the already intense rivalry between Hamlin and Wallace.