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USA Today via Reuters
Feb 4, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) speaks during media availabilities at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Feb 4, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) speaks during media availabilities at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
This season turned out to be a dream season for Denny Hamlin and his team. The reason is that both of their drivers, Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, were looking in the hood at the beginning of the season. Tyler Reddick is currently sitting in 10th place in the playoff standings after a win at Circuit of The Americas. But his teammate Bubba Wallace is struggling to make it into those 16s. However, it’s worth noting that Bubba Wallace also showcased impressive performances throughout the first half of the season.
Suddenly, things changed for Denny Hamlin and Micheal Jordan’s owned team as both of their drivers are struggling for better performance after Charlotte. Notably, none of them were able to make it in the top 10s from the last five races. In fact, the best finish for the team is at 15th Bubba got at Nashville.
Bubba Wallace’s quest to qualify for the playoffs has been hampered by the noticeable decline in team performance. This has left fans confused, wondering about the underlying reasons behind this setback.
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One reason is that the competition has gotten tougher. The NASCAR Cup Series is as competitive as it has ever been, and there are a lot of good teams that are vying for wins the way Michael McDowell and Daniel Suarez dominate.
Another reason for 23XI Racing’s decline in performance is that they have had some bad luck. They have been involved in a few crashes, and they have had some mechanical problems, as Bubba was involved in a crash in Atlanta, contact with the wall in Chicago, and some mechanic failure too.
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USA Today via Reuters
Feb 15, 2023; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) speaks to the media at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Last year, Bubba Wallace finished 3rd at New Hampshire, and he even showcased the way he drove at qualifying when he finished 8th. Bubba said, “This week was a big reflection moment for everybody on the 23 Teas on how we need to execute better.” “Mistakes at this point in the season, there’s really no excuse for them, whether it’s my fault on track or the crew’s fault in preparation. We just have to be better as a team moving forward to even think about the playoffs.”
Team co-owner and Veteran driver Denny Hamlin stepped up to clear things up for everyone on behalf of 23XI Racing.
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Denny Hamlin, who remains determined to secure a victory this Cup Series season, has consistently delivered exceptional performances throughout the year. In a recent interview, he opened up about the challenges the 23XI Racing team has faced during these difficult times. Hamlin expressed his thoughts, stating:
“They’re running okay, certainly would like to see little more performance, a little more execution on the team’s part. I think the team’s got its fair share of growing that they need to do, you know the drivers certainly as long as they do their parts then it up for us to make sure the team executes and certainly they kind of let them down on some spots for sure but we all ought we all have to get better for sure. “
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Denny addressed the efforts the team is making for improvements and continued, “We keep pretty good notes you know where we can get better, I think everyone’s got to get better for sure. I think that sometimes it’s driving in the corners, into the barriers when you got the race in control and sometimes you know a team’s not executing and I would say that when you look at how we break it down I think that team certainly needs to take the biggest jump forward on performance and if you do that our drivers are good enough to do that.”
Only time will tell how well the race is going to end for 23XI and Bubba Wallace, as he has only seven chances left to get into the playoffs.
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