In any NASCAR race, a driver’s starting position is extremely important, and this becomes even more paramount at the famed Brickyard 400. Denny Hamlin’s words about Bubba Wallace lacking pace seem to ring true. On the historic track of Indianapolis, Bubba failed to secure a good starting position. In contrast, his teammate Tyler Reddick will start on pole. A disappointed Wallace, driving the #23 car, acknowledged that he’s got his work cut out for him in the upcoming race.

Bubba Wallace will start 17 positions behind his teammate

The historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway is coming back to life after 3 years. The race will mark the 30th anniversary of the inaugural Brickyard 400 and the first time the Cup Series will race on the 2.5-mile since it was stopped after 2020. It’s a known fact that if one wishes to kiss the bricks, they have to start up front.

The qualification concluded with highs and lows for Hamlin’s 23XI team. Tyler Reddick took pole position, continuing on his practice pace. However, Bubba Wallace will have to start from the back of the grid, at 17th. Speaking of the JGR driver himself, it was a good day for Hamlin himself, as he took P2 going into probably one of his career’s most important races. Behind Hamlin was the table-topper, and most-popular Chase Elliott finished on 3rd. Followed by William Byron and Kyle Larson.

After the practice session, Reddick spoke about how important it is to get a good qualification position for the team to get points. And, additionally, how capitalizing from the 17th position is going to be a challenge for his teammate.

Knowing that Bubba missed out in qualifying, Reddick via Frontstretch said, “Definitely not what we want for the biggest track position race of the year coming tomorrow. I mean, qualifying or yesterday’s practice felt fine. Just never really got a clean lap to really see what we got, so yeah I just under drove the car and qualifying today. Huge bummer for sure.”

The #23 is already struggling with his winless streak, starting in 2023. In the points table, he’s currently in the 15th position. The Brickyard 400 is crucial for his playoff dreams. A finish with good points would be the 23XI’s focus now. Bubba said, although he hasn’t talked about the plan for the race yet with his team, he’s got his work cut out for him. In a disappointed yet hopeful tone, he said, “We have the potential so we have to really really execute and not make any mistakes. We got some Toyota teammates back there to figure out what we need to do to be better as a whole.”

Bubba Wallace’s fans should not lose hope just yet. Going into Brickyard 400, there are a lot of uncertainties. Including the fact that no one has raced this oval in 3 years. It will be the first time the next generation of cars, which were introduced in 2022, will run on this track. It is said that Pocono and Brickyard have similarities. Bubba got a P10 at the tricky triangle. He can surely aim to match that, if not better.

Same car, different result: Bubba’s playoff chances 

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The question of why Reddick is getting better results than Bubba is eminent. However, the comparison cannot just be made based on the same car. There are a lot of factors, strategies, independent driving styles, and, to some degree, even luck.

23XI co-owner shed some light on this as he sat for a chat with Frontstretch and said, “It’s hard to pinpoint it, It honestly is. They most times show up with the same car and obviously, it’s difference in driving styles and preferences and things like that.”  According to Hamlin, Reddick is just a lot faster. He further went on to say, “You know, Tyler Reddick’s generally just faster. And you know, if he were probably in my car, he’d be faster.” 

Speaking of No. 45, who is only 15 points behind the top spot of Elliot, Bubba is struggling in the 15th position. Even his 2023 season went winless. Bubba has said time and again that he wants to qualify based on wins and not just points. Where will that win come from? Is it his pace, as Hamlin had previously said? It’s not the execution. Getting a P10 in Pocono and also previously.

Bubba’s chances of getting a win in Indianapolis seem a bit far, but not impossible. However, a consistent performance, as displayed in Pocono, will keep his chances high. As for others, Denny Hamlin is the favorite for winning. Because for him, Brickyard is the fort he has not captured yet.

To add to his chances, Denny is starting from a great position, if not the best. Hopes are also high for Tyler Reddick; it’s his best chance to conquer the historic track and lead the table, as he’s a strong contender for the 15 playoff points. Who do you think will win the Brickyard 400?