“23XI Racing told me to get out”: When Denny Hamlin pulled back the curtain on the aftermath of Bubba Wallace’s suspension

Denny Hamlin's 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace was slapped with a one-race suspension for his on-track incident with Kyle Larson. But when Hamlin was asked if he had any conversations with his #45 Toyota driver regarding the clash, he expressed his perspective, saying that his co-owned team had told him to stay out of the building.

Wallace and Larson were battling at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway when on Lap 94, the latter's move forced the 23XI Racing driver to move up the track, making contact with the outside wall. Wallace was frustrated by the rival sliding him up and didn't hold back from paying back.

The Alabama native shoved Larson twice, sending his #5 Chevrolet on a violent ride before it returned to the track and clipped Christopher Bell's #20 Toyota. Larson was fighting to keep his title fight alive but couldn't make it to the Championship 4.

As a result, NASCAR penalized Wallace for one race for intentionally wrecking the HMS driver.

During the media availability ahead of the Round of 8 elimination race at the Martinsville Speedway, Jordan Bianchi asked Denny Hamlin about his conversation with Wallace since the imposition of the penalty. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver made a clear remark about 23XI not wanting him inside the building.

However, it wasn't because the team didn't want Hamlin to interfere but because the veteran driver was still alive in the championship fight, and 23XI didn't want to jeopardize it.

"Yeah, I mean, from my perspective 23XI told me to get out of the building for the next two weeks and go concentrate on winning a championship for myself," Hamlin said via Frontstretch (1:00).

"I haven't had any interaction with Bubba Wallace other than just speaking to him when I pass by him and through text messages," Hamlin added.

Hamlin couldn't claim the championship as he failed to advance to the title fight, wrapping up the 2022 season in fifth place.

When Denny Hamlin's 23XI Racing issued a public message following Bubba Wallace's penalty

Not only did Denny Hamlin's driver shove Larson for a DNF, but he also manhandled the defending Cup Series champion during an on-track confrontation on the infield grass.

Wallace was so furious that he pushed the 5'5" Larson multiple times before finally letting him go. NASCAR didn't take Bubba Wallace's wreck lightly and ordered the suspension. Wallace missed the Homestead-Miami race and was replaced by John Hunter Nemechek.

Denny Hamlin's organization wasn't pleased by its driver's actions and issued a public statement condemning Wallace.

"Bubba's actions are not keeping with the values of our team and partners. We have spoken to Bubba and expressed our disapproval of how he handled the situation," an excerpt from the message read via 23XI Racing on X.

While Bubba Wallace contributed to Kyle Larson's championship exit, Christopher Bell advanced for the Championship 4 Race. However, he couldn't reign supreme, concluding the 2022 season in third place.