The NASCAR Cup Series race at Gateway last Sunday highlighted Toyota’s dominance, as Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin clinched the team’s record 200th win. Among the key contenders was 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace, who delivered a strong performance with back-to-back top-10 finishes and nearly secured a spot in the top 12 for the playoffs. However, Wallace’s promising run was derailed by a critical error during the final stage restart.
Leading comfortably at the race’s crucial moment, Wallace experienced a gear shift problem when his Toyota Camry got stuck in first gear. This malfunction caused him to lose momentum and narrowly avoid a multi-car collision. Although he managed to recover, the lost pace ultimately cost him a chance to win the race.
Kevin Harvick Breaks Down Wallace’s Gateway Struggle
Former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick offered analysis on Wallace’s performance and emphasized the potential outcome had the gear shift not failed. Harvick remarked how Wallace was controlling the race before the mishap, underscoring the strength of the Toyota vehicles throughout the event.
“All four Joe Gibbs cars were in the top 10. Bubba Wallace had a chance to win the race. If he doesn’t miss that shift, he had control of the race. I don’t know what happened to the shifter or why it got hung up or whatever the scenario is there. I think when you look at the 23 car (Wallace), really fast, Tyler Reddick ran in the top 10, John Hunter Nemechek was in the top 10. I’m just telling you the Toyotas came to play.” —Kevin Harvick, via Happy Hour podcast
Harvick also highlighted the combined speed and performance of the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) cars during the race, with several drivers running competitive laps and positioning themselves strongly for the playoffs.
Toyota’s Playoff Strength Mirrors Penske’s Consistency
In addition to breaking down the Gateway race, Harvick pointed out how Toyota has shown remarkable progress entering the playoffs, drawing a comparison to Team Penske’s historic ability to elevate their performance once the postseason begins. This resurgence could signal a serious Cup title threat after a period without championship success for Toyota since Kyle Busch’s 2019 victory.
“Typically, in the past, we’ve seen the Penske cars, the ones that step up going to the playoffs. The JGR, or the Toyotas, were already in a position to be fast, but they seem to be the ones that have stepped up to the plate once the playoffs have started.” —Kevin Harvick
Harvick’s insight suggests Toyota is building the momentum and resilience necessary to challenge for the title in the upcoming races.
Playoff Pressure Amplified by Team’s Ongoing Lawsuit
Bubba Wallace and teammate Tyler Reddick have been performing well amid significant distractions off the track, namely the 23XI Racing team’s legal battle involving their charter status. The team currently races as open clubs, causing uncertainty about their stability beyond the 2025 season. Contracts allowing drivers to become free agents only add to the tension within the organization.
Harvick explained that the legal tumult has become a source of frustration for Wallace and Reddick, who are in a difficult position of competing at a high level while dealing with off-track complications they have little control over.
“It is a distraction. I mean, it’s not the same distraction for Denny Hamlin as it is for Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace because they’re not vested in the ownership of the team and restructuring the league. So, at this point it’s annoying.” —Kevin Harvick
This comment sheds light on the unique challenges faced by 23XI Racing’s drivers, emphasizing how external conflicts can affect on-track focus and performance.
Consistency from 23XI Racing Despite Adversity
The repeated strong showings from Bubba Wallace and his teammates under such unsettled circumstances reflect the team’s resilience and potential. Despite the ongoing lawsuit and the pressure that accompanies uncertainty, the drivers have maintained competitive form. Observers will be paying close attention to how this situation unfolds in future races and the eventual impact on Wallace and the rest of the team.
With the NASCAR season advancing, the performance of Wallace and 23XI Racing will remain a compelling storyline, especially as they navigate legal challenges alongside the intense competition in the playoffs.
