As the NASCAR Cup Series prepares for an elimination-charged weekend at the Charlotte Roval, eyes are firmly on the 23XI Racing team. Both Michael Jordan star drivers, Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, find themselves in a precarious position, teetering below the elimination line. If the round were to conclude now, neither would secure a spot in the coveted Round of eight.
In a recent discussion, Alex Weaver posed a critical question about the team’s strategy. She highlighted the concerns surrounding 23XI Racing. However, her guest on the show was skeptical and even had a warning for the duo. The question now is, can the duo change their narratives and rally to advance?
Points or Victory at the Roval?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Reddick’s record on road courses might be the ace up his sleeve. Boasting three wins out of five on such tracks, and two top tens at the Roval, the ace of Michael Jordan is a formidable force. Wallace, on the other hand, with just one top-five finish on a road course, faces an uphill challenge. Yet, with a hint of Roval magic, he could change the narrative.
It is best for Reddick to use the strategy of Wallace and gain lap points to continue the playoff dream. Wallace has not won any race this season. He scored stage points to burrow his way into the NASCAR playoffs. Now close to cut-off line, it is in the best interest of Reddick to apply this tactic at Charlotte.
Alan Cavanna weighed in on the conversation as he stated, “Well, I think it will be easier for one of them. It’ll be easier for Tyler Reddick. We know his prowess, his skills on road sources, but as we were talking about before, there are two situations you can chase.
“If Tyler Reddick wants to get the win, they have to maybe likely punt on all those stage points. Now Tyler Redick can absolutely get the win, but you have to get the checkered flag if you’re not getting any stage points. He could get second place and no stage points, and that may not be enough.
“So if I’m Billy Scott as his crew chief, I’m just wondering going through my head, going through my notes, which strategy should I take? Should I worry about the points? Should I just go get the win? I don’t want to be a crew chief going in this race. That’s what I’m saying”, concluded Cavanna.
Facing a tight contest in the Round of 12, Reddick and Wallace, the dynamic duo from 23XI Racing, had a tough outing at Talladega. Strong cars but disappointing finishes left them chasing the elusive top spots. But that’s not all!
What exactly happened in the Talladega race? And how does it affect the playoff standpoint for the team of Michael Jordan?
Talladega setback for the team of Michael Jordan
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Reddick and Wallace zoomed into Talladega with high hopes, but left with results that didn’t match their roaring engines. Although both secured positions outside the top 15, they’re not out of the race yet. As it stands, Reddick trails Brad Keselowski by a mere two points for the coveted eighth position, while Wallace lags by nine.
Watch This Story: Bubba Wallace Receives a Five Word Ultimatum From His NASCAR Team Employee Just Hours Before Billionaire Michael Jordan’s Approval
While the duo from 23XI Racing faces a bumpy ride, Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain is also revving in the rearview, with a point behind Wallace. Meanwhile, Kyle ‘Rowdy’ Busch faces a daunting 26-point gap. However, with Kyle Larson comfortably cruising 13 points ahead of Keselowski, the playoff’s top eight is anyone’s guess. But here’s the sad twist for Jordan & co: the chances of both Reddick and Wallace moving to the next round? Slim.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
READ MORE: Michael Jordan’s Forgotten Champion Snubs NASCAR Glory for Something Surprisingly Personal
The Charlotte Roval showdown is revving up to be an epic chapter in NASCAR’s 2023 tale. As the engines roar, fans await with bated breath: Who’ll speed into the next round, and who’ll face the playoff pit stop? Only time and the Roval will tell.