23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin blames live TV for Bubba Wallace penalty, rules out appeal

NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin denied his interest to appeal the penalty given to 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace. Hamlin also hinted the live coverage focused on Wallace's #23 Chevy created an impact to which NASCAR responded with a fine of $50,000.

Last Sunday witnessed the Grant Park 165 race at Chicago Street Circuit where Hendrick's Alex Bowman secured his maiden win. However, his celebration was interrupted when #23 Wallace door-slammed #48 Bowman, who had his window net down, into the wall on the cool-down lap. This incident occurred in retaliation for an on-track incident where Wallace spun out on the heels of Lap 25.

In a recent media conference at Pocono, Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing with NBA legend Michael Jordan, discussed his team's response to the penalty given to Wallace. He said (via Claire B Lang):

"All in all it’s a judgment call and that’s kind of the explanation that they gave the team that it’s you know, it’s a judgment call."

"More than likely, we’ve seen these things happen in other sports where, when the camera’s on you live, right, it’s not something that got cut away to and said ‘Oh yeah by the way this happened after the checkered.’ I think it just being live right there and everyone seeing it probably caused a little bit more of a social media uproar which they then responded to that," he added.

He also said that 23XI Racing believes this incident to be a "learning moment" and won't file an appeal for the same.

"So, I think from the team’s standpoint I don’t believe there will be any appeals or anything like that. I think it’s just a learning moment that you try not to repeat," Hamlin said.

Hamlin, who competes in the Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing in #11 Toyota, is now at P4 in the overall points table after his P30 finish on the streets of Chicago whereas #23 Wallace, who had a decent top-15 finish last Sunday, is still struggling for his maiden win.

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"He's still frustrated" - Denny Hamlin on Bubba Wallace's continued struggle for a spot in the 2024 playoffs

No. 11 Joe Gibbs driver Hamlin has three wins already in this 2024 Cup Series season and has booked his berth in the playoffs while his 23XI driver Wallace is still in murky waters as he is below the playoff cutline.

During a media interaction at the 2024 Ally 400 race on June 30, #11 Hamlin shared his views regarding Wallace's Cup Series struggle, saying:

"I think he's(Bubba Wallace) still probably frustrated, with himself at times, with the team at times, but I think he's doing a better job of not outwardly showing that. I just think that comes with maturity and I think he's maturing."

"Certainly, with some guidance with team, we've tried to help them, guide them through those tough times that you're always gonna have, but I mentioned to him this week that you got just a handful of races that we gotta get done and it certainly means a lot to us to make the playoffs and certainly to him to make the playoffs," Hamlin added.

Wallace currently sits at P17 in the playoff picture. He is 45 points below the cut line. As NASCAR heads towards the Pocono Mountains for the 21st race of the season, #23 Wallace needs to accumulate crucial points or a win to qualify for the playoffs.