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Denny Hamlin pushes back on kissing bricks at Indy despite being active NASCAR driver

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones07/28/25brianjones_93
23XI
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Denny Hamlin is pushing back on kissing the bricks at the Brickyard 400 after Bubba Wallace won the race. On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin, the co-owner of 23XI Racing, explained why he kissed the bricks despite being an active driver.

“I’m into superstition a little bit, but not that much,” Denny Hamlin said. “Not to where I’m going to keep myself from enjoying the moment as a team owner. I don’t want to, ‘Well, I don’t want, because I’m still driving, I might have a chance.’ Well, I don’t know if my team will have another opportunity to win that either. So, I’m just going to take that advantage when I can get it.”

Hamlin was then asked what it was like to celebrate the win with Wallace. “It was good,” he said. “I obviously wish I was doing it with my 11 team, but very happy to do it with everyone at the 23 team and really all of 23XI. They were just so happy. They had so many people there.”

Denny Hamlin did not hesitate to kiss the bricks at the Brickyard 400

Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan launched 23XI Racing in 2020. Wallace was the first driver signed to the team and has won three races since 2021. Wallace’s win on Sunday was huge because he clinched a spot in the playoffs and will join Hamlin and 11 other drivers.

During his post-race press conference, Hamlin talked about getting the chance to kiss the bricks. “I’ll take every opportunity I can,” he said. “When those guys go out there and they get trophies, I make sure I get my own, treat it as my own because I can assure you it’s much harder to win as a team owner than it is a driver.

“Joe Gibbs and that whole team, they do all the work. All I have to do out here each weekend is drive it to the best of my ability. I’ve got to send them in the right direction to make the car go faster.”

Hamlin has won 58 career NASCAR Cup Series races but has yet to win the Brickyard 400, which is one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races. This year, Hamlin finished third behind Wallace and last year’s winner, Kyle Larson.