Denny Hamlin Lets Out His Disappointment in Bubba Wallace and 23XI’s Underperformance as Playoff Hopes Get Threatened: “You Have to Be Consistently Better”

In New Hampshire, Bubba Wallace’s playoff hopes took a hit after a dramatic wreck involving Noah Gragson. During Lap 265, Gragson attempted an inside pass, lost grip, and collided with Wallace and Austin Dillon, pushing Wallace below the playoff cutoff line. Bubba’s #23 Toyota Camry bore the brunt of the incident, and he made his displeasure clear by parking in front of Gragson’s pit box.

Denny Hamlin, expressed his concerns on his  Actions Detrimental podcast. “Certainly, I’m not overly joyed with the performance and speed at 23XI right now. They need to perform really well over the next eight weeks or win a race. Those are the two choices,” he said. The #11 Toyota driver further discussed the standings, highlighting the pressure on Wallace.

The three times Daytona 500 champion asserted, “Right now, Logano’s in. He’s minus 190. Bubba’s 203. But in front of Logano is Buescher at minus 153. So, yeah, they’re getting down to it. They’re going to need to perform better than they have recently or really all year.” The urgency pitch was quite evident in Hamlin’s voice.

Wallace’s had a strong start to the season with three Top-5 and five Top-10 finishes. But his progress has been undermined by recent struggles, including three DNFs in the last nine races. This performance downturn marks a potential drop from his 10th place finish last season.

With the playoff cutoff looming, Hamlin remarked, “We have to not get unlucky first, and then we’ve got to go beat Joey for the next seven-eight weeks. That’s not going to be easy, but you’re going to have to be consistently better.”

As Hamlin said, this will be easier said than done. While Wallace has managed to show consistency at times this season, he is yet to win a race. In fact, he is yet to put together a Top-10 finish since Darlington on May 12. Hence, it will take quite an effort from #23 to make the cut given his current predicament.

Wallace will need consistent Top-10 finishes, to pull himself back into the playoff contention. Is it desperation time for the #23? It will seem like it. A few races ago, the situation wasn’t this dire. So far, Wallace had been solid without being spectacular. For the rest of the season, he would have to avoid days such as the one at New Hampshire, try his best to get a win or do what he did last year—getting into the postseason via points.

The Current NASCAR Playoff Picture:

With just a little over two months left for the Round of 16, 23 XI’s hopes are pinned on Bubba Wallace. But what are the odds of #23 making his way into the playoffs?

As the NASCAR season zooms toward its climax, Bubba Wallace finds himself in the hot seat. Historical data paints a mixed picture, turning this final stretch into both a challenge and a golden opportunity for the 23XI Racing driver. So, let’s dive into where Wallace needs to hit the gas to keep his playoff dreams alive.

Can Bubba Wallace turn around his season? Stats paint a mixed picture

First up, Daytona International Speedway stands out like a beacon of hope for Wallace. With an average finish of 12.4 and a history of strong showings, including a win, Daytona is a crucial track for him. If he can pull off another stellar performance, he could snag around 24 points—talk about a game-changer! Plus, Wallace has led 31 laps at Daytona and bagged five top-five finishes, making it a prime spot for racking up some serious points.

Michigan International Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway also look promising. With average finishes of 18.5 and 17.0, respectively, these tracks could be gold mines if Wallace plays his cards right. Michigan, in particular, has seen him lead 43 laps in 10 starts, proving he can run with the front pack.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Tracks like the Chicago Street Course, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Richmond Raceway have historically been tough nuts to crack for Wallace. His previous race at the Chicago Street Course ended in a frustrating 18th place, offering zero points based on his performance.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway isn’t any friendlier, with an average finish of 26.0. Richmond Raceway also throws a wrench in the works, with Wallace averaging a 21.8 finish. Despite leading 80 laps in a recent race there, these tracks will demand not just a clean run but some seriously smart strategies to stay competitive and grab any available points. Wallace’s ability to navigate these tougher tracks without major setbacks will be key in maintaining his points tally.

Looking at the bigger picture, several key stats stand out for Wallace. He has seven top-five finishes and 19 top-ten finishes across various tracks, showing he’s got the chops when the conditions are right. His knack for avoiding DNFs (Did Not Finish) has been impressive, keeping his consistency intact. Moreover, Wallace’s average starting position is typically within the top 20, putting him in a competitive spot right from the get-go.

Ultimately, Wallace’s playoff hopes hinge on a mix of strong finishes at his best tracks and minimizing damage at the trickier ones. As Hamlin earlier said, consistency, smart pit stops, and maximizing stage points will be crucial in this high-stakes run. With the right blend of skill and strategy, Wallace could turn these remaining races into a blockbuster journey toward the playoffs, making this final stretch a must-watch for NASCAR fans.