Bubba Wallace reveals “heart-to-heart” conversation with Denny Hamlin helped ease tensions after Kansas tangle 

Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin have reconciled after their intense on-track confrontation at Kansas Speedway, which might have cost the No. 23 Toyota driver a shot at the Round of 8.

During the final lap of the Hollywood Casino 400 last Sunday (September 28), Hamlin made contact with Wallace, who was in contention for the win, and pushed him into the outside wall. This slowed both drivers, and they ultimately lost the race to Chase Elliott.

On Saturday, Wallace talked about his 'somber week' and revealed how his talk with his team co-owner Hamlin helped ease tensions ahead of this week's Round of 12 elimination race at Charlotte Roval. NASCAR insider and journalist Kelly Crandall tweeted the specifics and gave more insights into what Wallace spoke about.

"It was definitely a somber week, for sure, and I hate that it got to this point. ... Denny and I just talked 30 minutes ago, and it was a good heart-to-heart conversation. It came from a place of peace. It went better than I thought it would," Bubba Wallace said (via Kelly Crandall).

Kelly Crandall

@KellyCrandall

Bubba Wallace: "It was definitely a somber week, for sure, and I hate that it got to this point. The linger effect. But Denny and I just talked 30 minutes ago, and it was a good heart-to-heart conversation. It came from a place of peace. It went better than I thought it would

According to Crandall, Wallace also stressed that he did not hold a grudge against Hamlin for racing hard.

"I don't fault Denny Hamlin racing for a win and racing for his team and sponsors... As much as it didn't work out, I have to respect that," he added.

However, the 23XI Racing driver did miss his chance to advance on to the next round of the Cup playoffs by losing the win to the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy. He was also upset by the fact that none of the five Toyota cars leading the top-10 crossed the finish line first.

Crandall also reported that Wallace reached out to Toyota representatives to apologize for the missed opportunity. Meanwhile, Hamlin, who was chasing his 60th Cup win, defended his actions after the race.

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Bubba Wallace locked in do-or-die status with 23XI Racing teammate at Charlotte Roval

Bubba Wallace is now 26 points below the cutline heading to the Roval on Sunday. He and 23XI Racing teammate Tyler Reddick are both in a must-win situation. Ross Chastain is 13 points below Joey Logano's last Round of 8 playoff spot in 8th place.

Reddick has three top-10s, including a runner-up finish at the 2.32-mile road course, but Bubba Wallace's best result at Roval was a seventh-place finish in 2022. Also, Trackhouse Racing's Shane van Gisbergen is perhaps the clear favorite after having won four road or street course races this season.

Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course will host the 109-lap Bank of America Roval 400 on October 5. Qualifying for the final race of the Round of 12 is scheduled to start at 2:10 p.m. CT today (October 4).