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Denny Hamlin brands Bubba Wallace as a 'top-10 driver' despite back-to-back DNFs

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Aaryaman Roy Moulik | Last updated 4/30/24

23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace has had two consecutive DNFs. The 30-year streak of bad luck is something that seems to have made him further demotivated. Moreover, 23XI Racing’s struggles this season with performance just seem to add to his frustration.

But, following his DNF at the Dover International Speedway, 23XI Racing owner and fellow NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin rose to his defense. On his podcast, The Action Detrimental Hamlin shared how he thinks Wallace is one of the best drivers on the NASCAR grid and how he’s always proved that he’s ready to fight at the front.

The 43-year-old veteran also added how all of the frustrations and bad luck that Bubba Wallace is going through right now is something every driver goes through at one point in his career. He added that all the ups and downs are just “part of racing” and that he’s sure the 23XI driver will bounce back soon.

I usually send him texts encouraging on tough days or weeks like this for sure. He’s just gotten so used to running up front. He’s a top-10 guy now. Every week he’s up front. When you have weeks like this, it’s like ‘Dang it. I just was on a good run and momentum, I was getting good finishes and then out of my control, BAM! Two DNFs in a row I shouldn’t have been a part of. Denny Hamlin via The Action Detrimental Podcast.

Bubba Wallace shares his thoughts on back-to-back DNFs

23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace was spun out on the final stage of the Wurth 400 NACAR Cup Series race at Dover. The driver was having a brilliant race after qualifying P16 and was comfortably in the top 10 during the second stage.

But, alas during the final stage of the race, when just 72 laps were left the 30-year-old tangled with Zane Smith and spun out causing his race to come to an early end. Following the disappointing DNF here and Talladega Wallace shared his thoughts on his last few races.

I don’t know, I can only just sit here and you have the long ride over here on the golf cart to figure out what you want to say. I guess turning 30, about to be a dad, gotta be more mature. Just a bummer, hate it for our Xfinity US Air Force Toyota. It's not the result we needed back-to-back DNFs. Bubba Wallace said.

The no. 23 Toyota Camry XSE revealed how he wants to become a more mature driver now that he is 30 and expecting a child soon, but shared how it was hugely disappointing for his team. The back-to-back DNFs really seem to be like a massive blow to 23XI Racing, but one thing is for sure Wallace will be more motivated than ever to get back in form.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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