Bubba Wallace entered the Charlotte Roval race this weekend with a critical need to win but fell short, highlighting ongoing difficulties he and teammate Denny Hamlin face on road courses. Both drivers from 23XI Racing continue to grapple with challenges in tire management and race pace on non-oval tracks, a contrast to their comparatively stronger performances on ovals.
Wallace Details Shared Tire Troubles with Hamlin on Road Circuits
In a post-race interview, Wallace explained that the tire wear problem he experienced closely mirrors what Denny Hamlin encounters, particularly on road courses. While the duo shows solid skill in handling tire degradation during oval races, their inability to manage tire life on road courses leaves them trailing behind leading competitors. Wallace emphasized that navigating tire issues on these circuits has repeatedly perplexed him and Hamlin.
“Just was thrown for a loop with this tire, and it is funny to look at myself and Denny (Hamlin) and a couple others at the short tracks, when tires degrade, we are pretty good at being able to save tire.”
– Bubba Wallace, post-Roval Cup race interview
Despite understanding tire degradation well on oval tracks, Wallace acknowledged that both he and Hamlin “s**k on road courses” when it comes to maintaining tire condition and running at the front. This shortcoming leaves Wallace more frustrated than most drivers in the Cup Series, especially following the recent Charlotte event.
“Him and I both s**k on road courses and we can’t save tires on road courses. It is just frustrating. Frustrated at self, just knowing what was on the line, and didn’t produce.”
– Bubba Wallace
Comparing Road Course Results Between Wallace and Hamlin
When contrasting their road course results, Wallace clearly struggles more than Hamlin, having only managed occasional top-15 finishes on these tracks. Hamlin, a seasoned veteran from Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), finds himself more capable of securing top-10 placements, yet his road course outcomes still fall short compared to his performances on oval circuits. This parity in underachievement emphasizes the shared difficulty the two drivers face away from their usual racing terrain.
Wallace Shares His Frustration After the Charlotte Race
During the same interview, Wallace conveyed his deep disappointment with Sunday’s outcome and his overall recent road course form. He reflected that his current struggles felt reminiscent of earlier stages in his career, expressing personal frustration not from lack of effort but from failing to deliver when stakes were high.
“It is just frustrating. It is back to how I was a couple of years ago. Frustrated at myself, just knowing what was on the line, and didn’t produce. But it wasn’t for a lack of effort.”
– Bubba Wallace
Wallace acknowledged the work done by Toyota and the entire 23XI Racing team to provide a competitive car, which helped him reach the Round of 12 in the playoffs. Nevertheless, the high hopes he carried into Charlotte ended in disappointment as he left without a meaningful result.
“I appreciate everyone on this Toyota team for pushing hard. This one s**ks worse than last week for sure. I had high hopes coming in here, and it is what it is.”
– Bubba Wallace
Recent Races Highlight Added Frustration Between Wallace and Hamlin
One source of extra frustration for Wallace is the challenge of competing against his own teammate Denny Hamlin. Last week at Kansas, Wallace was on the verge of victory only to be overtaken by Hamlin in the final moments. Neither driver managed to secure the race win, as Chase Elliott from Chevy capitalized on the situation to claim the top spot. This internal competition adds tension to an already difficult road course season for both drivers.
The ongoing difficulties with Denny Hamlin road course struggles impact the 23XI Racing team’s ability to consistently challenge front-runners on circuits that demand distinct strategy and driving styles compared to ovals. For Wallace, mastering these tracks remains a critical task as he aims to advance deeper into the playoffs. Hamlin, too, must reconcile his road course shortcomings with his strong oval performances if he hopes to contend for another championship.
Looking ahead, the team will need to develop better setups and refining tire management techniques specifically for road courses, which could help transform their frustrating weekend performances into potential victories. For Wallace and Hamlin, overcoming these challenges will be necessary steps toward achieving their championship goals.
