Overview

• Wallace and Hamlin met privately Saturday at Charlotte, with both describing a productive, peaceful conversation after six days without substantive contact.
• Wallace said he does not fault Hamlin for racing for a win despite their owner-driver ties, though he remained frustrated that Toyota failed to close out the race.
• Hamlin acknowledged he should have checked on Wallace sooner and said he initially did not realize Wallace was upset after their brief post-race interaction.
• The Kansas finish turned when Hamlin drifted up into Wallace as they fought for the lead, allowing Chase Elliott to slip by for the win and secure advancement.
• Wallace sits roughly 26 points below the Round of 8 cutline entering the Roval, apologized to Christopher Bell for separate contact at Kansas, and noted most peers viewed Hamlin’s move as an “oof.”