Denny Hamlin Reacts To Bubba Wallace Making The Playoffs

To the delight of Denny Hamlin and 23XI Racing, Bubba Wallace secured the final spot of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

Wallace clinched the 16th position following Saturday night's last regular-season race at Daytona International Speedway. On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin said he's "really happy" for his team's driver.

"I know that he's been super stressed over the last few weeks," Hamlin said (h/t Pro Talk). "This was a test — he's battle-tested now. I think Bubba's — he earned his spot in the playoffs. He did it through performing better than he ever has. He's getting stage points, and contending. More top tens. More top fives."

Hamlin, who also made the playoffs after finishing third in the Cup Series standings, believes Wallace's crew is well-positioned to make noise this postseason.

"I'm excited to see where that No. 23 team goes in the playoffs," he continued. "I think the tracks actually lay out very nicely for him. But yeah, this is a big deal."

Hamlin's 23XI Racing co-owner, Michael Jordan, attended Saturday's race and celebrated Wallace's achievement on pit row. Hamlin called it "awesome" for everyone to show their support.

Furthermore, he believes the 29-year-old enters the playoffs with less pressure as the final entrant.

"There's only one place to go for him now, it's up," Hamlin said. "Like he's got nothing to lose from this point forward. So I'm excited to see what happens."

Wallace called Saturday's race "the most stressed I've ever been" before locking down the last spot. He also told FOX Sports that his team "can do some damage."

Darlington Raceway hosts the first round-of-16 playoff race this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET