{"id":1528768,"date":"2022-09-12T07:30:48","date_gmt":"2022-09-12T11:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1528768"},"modified":"2022-09-12T07:37:06","modified_gmt":"2022-09-12T11:37:06","slug":"nascar-denny-hamlin-problem-will-eventually-blow-up-in-its-face","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/nascar-denny-hamlin-problem-will-eventually-blow-up-in-its-face\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR\u2019s Denny Hamlin Problem Will Eventually Blow up in Its Face"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NASCAR<\/a> has a Denny Hamlin<\/a> problem that\u2019s been hiding in plain sight for two seasons. The sport\u2019s executives would be wise to fix it now rather than explain it later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hamlin finishing second to Bubba Wallace on Sunday at Kansas Speedway was awkward. Then again, so were the previous 63 races involving the pair. It\u2019s just that this one was more noticeable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denny Hamlin has been wearing two hats<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"23XI
23XI Racing team co-owner Denny Hamlin and driver Bubba Wallace speak to the media during a press conference after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sept. 11, 2022. | Chris Graythen\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When retired NBA superstar Michael Jordan plunged into NASCAR at full speed in 2020, he brought in Denny Hamlin as an investor and to play a big role in getting the organization off the ground. One crucial early decision was selecting the first driver for 23XI Racing\u2019s No. 23 Toyota, and they signed Bubba Wallace<\/a>, who was finishing up at Richard Petty Motorsports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September 2021, 23XI removed the interim label and made Steve Lauletta its permanent president. However, Hamlin\u2019s status as a co-owner as well as a longtime driver in the Cup Series means he remains involved in major decisions, such as expanding to two cars this season. Hamlin was crucial in bringing Kurt Busch aboard as the second driver. More recently, he helped recruit Tyler Reddick<\/a>, who will start at 23XI in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During all this time, Hamlin has not missed a start in the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, which has an alliance with 23XI. Hamlin has scored a pair of victories in each of the past two seasons, raising his career total to 48 checkered flags in the Cup Series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing are closely aligned<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n