Kansas Speedway delivered one of the most commanding performances of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season as Kyle Larson dominated the AdventHealth 400. The Hendrick Motorsports #5 led 221 of 267 laps and secured his third victory of the year. However, for his teammate, Alex Bowman, the Kansas race became a story of resilience and frustration.
After surging into the top five, a brush with the wall and subsequent damage derailed Alex Bowman’s charge, leaving him to wrestle a wounded car to the finish. Despite the setback, he managed to secure a top-five result, but the disappointment was clear as the checkered flag waved. The reason for disappointment? Well, Denny Hamlin’s latest showmanship.
Alex Bowman’s frustration boils over
Alex Bowman and Denny Hamlin do not have the friendliest history in the Cup Series. After a playoff race at Martinsville in 2021, Hamlin was irate at Bowman for spinning him out with 7 laps to go as they battled for the lead. Bowman won the race on the ensuing restart, and Hamlin bumped into Bowman’s car while the latter was doing a burnout. In the post-race interview, Hamlin lashed out, saying, “He’s just an absolute hack. Gets his a– kicked by his teammates every week. F—- terrible. He sees one opportunity and he takes it. He’s got the fastest car every week, and he runs 10th.” This sets up their altercation at Kansas pretty well, as this time it involved Hamlin instigating and facing karma.
Alex Bowman’s Kansas race was a rollercoaster. The Hendrick Motorsports #48 surged from 21st to the top 10 in just four laps, showing early speed. This has been the motto with the #48 team this season, who have not backed down to any challenge thrown at them. However, Bowman described how his car’s handling deteriorated after a three-wide battle on lap 95 with Denny Hamlin and Zane Smith sent him into the wall. But it wasn’t their crash that made Bowman fume, it was Hamlin’s reaction as he passed Bowman during stage 2.
As reported by Jeff Gluck on X, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin waved at Alex Bowman while making a pass on the #48. Bowman, furious, responded on his radio, saying, “Tell him to put his hand back in the window and don’t drive me in the f—– fence next time.” Bowman reiterated his disappointment at Hamlin’s actions in a post on X, writing, “Super fast, got run into the fence, less fast but still kinda fast. Grumpy meter maxed out over here but proud of the team for a top 5 with so much damage.”
After the race, Alex Bowman detailed what exactly went wrong after he hit the wall. The #48 told Frontstretch, “We were really fast until we got damaged and then just got really loose in and really tight in the center.” Bowman explained the harsh consequences of the incident, noting the unique challenges of the Next Gen car. Bowman told Frontstretch, “That’s the unfortunate part of racing these cars. Where the old cars get loose side by side, these cars get tight, guys just take off, and the outside guy ends up in the fence.” With the Gen 6 car, side-by-side racing often led to both drivers getting loose and sliding, making contact less severe. In the Next Gen car, the car gets tight and loses grip, making it much easier for the outside car to get forced into the wall. However, Bowman got some respite after Denny Hamlin had a horrible end to his race.
Denny Hamlin passed Alex Bowman and waved and then Bowman goes “Tell him to put his hand back in the window and don’t drive me in the fucking fence next time.”
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 11, 2025
Denny Hamlin was facing issues with his clutch all race. Whenever he went into the pit lane, the crew would tell him to hold down the brakes as they refueled and changed his tires before pushing him out back onto pit road. However, this workaround would not last long as a stage 3 pit stop under caution after Brad Keselowski blew his tire caused Hamlin to come to a standstill just outside his pit box as his car stalled and effectively ended his race. Alex Bowman had the last laugh with a top-5 finish, while Hamlin had to wave his hopes goodbye just like he waved at Bowman.
For Denny Hamlin, Kansas was a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in NASCAR. For Alex Bowman, it was a lesson that some people stay the same, and some rivalries are more than just that one race.
Denny Hamlin: NASCAR’s self-made villain and his impact on the sport
Denny Hamlin’s transformation from a respected underdog to NASCAR’s most polarizing figure is a defining storyline of the modern Cup Series. Early in his career, Hamlin was seen as a hard-working, talented driver who climbed the ranks without a famous last name or major sponsor. But as his success grew, so did his willingness to ruffle feathers on and off the track.
Incidents like his 2017 Martinsville clash with Chase Elliott and his rant toward Alex Bowman in 2021 have cemented his reputation as a ‘villain’ in the eyes of many fans. Hamlin himself acknowledges this role, saying, “It just kind of took on a role of itself, and I mean I certainly had my part in it. I understand that I play into it.” Rather than shy away from the boos, Hamlin has embraced the antagonism, even declaring after Pocono, “I beat your favorite driver,” fueling the crowd’s ire.
This self-awareness is key to Hamlin’s persona. He’s admitted that the negative energy from fans only motivates him more. The “11 Against the World” flag has become a symbol of his outsider mentality. His unapologetic, outspoken style keeps him at the center of NASCAR’s drama. Even fellow drivers and media recognize that Hamlin has stepped into the void left by Kyle Busch, who has mellowed down the years, as the sport’s “bad boy,” a role that keeps storylines alive and emotions high.
Yet, some argue Hamlin isn’t a true villain in the mold of NASCAR’s past. Analysts note he races cleanly and often acts as a vocal critic rather than a ruthless intimidator. Still, his willingness to play the part, whether through bold moves or mind games, ensures he remains a lightning rod for controversy. What do you think of Denny Hamlin’s reputation as a NASCAR driver? Let us know in the comments!
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