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Denny Hamlin reacts to Bubba Wallace, 23XI winning Brickyard 400 after epic No. 11 comeback

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones07/27/25brianjones_93
Denny Hamlin (63)
Jef Richards/For IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Denny Hamlin had a great Sunday as he finished third at the Brickyard 400, and his 23XI Racing driver, Bubba Wallace, won the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After the race, Hamlin shared his reaction to Wallace winning the 2025 Brickyard 400.

“They told me that the 23 (Wallace) and the 24 (William Byron) were in very similar positions on fuel,” Denny Hamlin said on the TNT broadcast. “I saw the 24 running out, so at that point. I know I’m third, the 5 (Kyle Larson) is going to make it, so I’m just at that point hoping the 23 does make it. …They deserve to win the race. They were faster; they pulled way from the pack there. If the race goes green with no rain, they win it outright that way. Just a great, flawless execution day for Bubba, Charles [Denike], that whole team. Just so happy for them. They deserve it.”

Bubba Wallace drives for 23XI, which is co-owned by Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan. The win means that Wallace will join Hamlin in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs when they begin at the end of August.

Bubba Wallace joins Denny Hamlin in the NASCAR playoffs

Wallace won his first race since September 2022 when he earned a victory at the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Motor Speedway. He has won three races in his Cup Series career, and all three victories have been with 23XI.

Hamlin loved what he saw from Wallace, but he was also proud of what his No. 11 Toyota team did over the weekend. On Saturday, Hamlin wrecked during the qualifying run and had to compete in the backup car. He started the Brickyard 400 in last place but worked his way up to third when he race ended.

“Great day for our Progressive Toyota team,” Hamlin said. “I got to say thank you to everyone at JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing). All four teams were chipping in yesterday,  23XI for wrapping the car. A huge team effort. I’ve never seen so many people come together and get this car together. It needed a lot of work, and they gave me something I could contend with.”