Bubba Wallace is calling on 23XI Racing to regain their competitive edge at Kansas Speedway as he faces a critical challenge in securing a playoff spot in the NASCAR Cup Series. With the Hollywood Casino 400 set for September 28, Wallace’s need to rediscover his Kansas mojo comes amid mounting pressure to climb out of a points deficit ahead of the season finale.
Wallace Reflects on 23XI’s Kansas Performance and Playoff Hurdles
23XI Racing’s recent performances at the 1.5-mile Kansas oval have fallen short of expectations, prompting Wallace to emphasize the urgency of turning things around. He highlighted how the team’s past success at Kansas—featuring wins in 2022 by Kurt Busch and himself, followed by Tyler Reddick’s victory last year—contrasts sharply with their current difficulties. Since 2024, Chevrolet drivers Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain have dominated at Kansas, intensifying the competitive environment.
Currently positioned 27 points below the playoff cutline in 12th place, Wallace finds himself trailing his former teammate Tyler Reddick, now driving the #45 Toyota. Failure to earn enough points at Kansas would place Wallace at a major disadvantage heading into the season finale at Charlotte Roval, where his chances of advancing into the Round of 8 would dim significantly.
Discussing his outlook ahead of the Kansas race, Wallace remarked,
“Kansas—we haven’t had much to brag about the last few times we’ve been there.”
“We’ve got to find our mojo back there.” he added.
His average finish at Kansas stands at 21.5, notably behind Chevrolet rivals such as Chase Elliott (10.4), who holds the best average among active drivers, and Kyle Larson (12.4). However, Toyota drivers from Joe Gibbs Racing including Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin maintain hope, with Bell matching Larson’s 12.4 average and Hamlin close behind at 12.9.
Playoff Prospects and Strategic Considerations for Wallace and 23XI
The upcoming 267-lap Kansas race carries significant playoff implications. Ryan Blaney of Team Penske is currently the only driver to have clinched a spot in the next round after his win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last weekend. Meanwhile, Wallace’s position, alongside Tyler Reddick’s 23-point deficit, requires strong results to stay in contention. Austin Cindric, 10th in the standings, trails by 19 points, while Ross Chastain sits 12 points behind Chase Briscoe, who leads by the same margin.
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, weighed in on Wallace’s situation, insisting it isn’t yet a must-win scenario. Speaking on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin explained,
“Must-win is you’re below 30 points out going into the last race, like, that’s must-win. With two races to go, just too much other stuff can happen. You can go out there, and you can have yourself a 50-point day at Kansas, and next thing you know, I bet you’re going to be minus five, or maybe flat.”
Hamlin’s perspective softens the urgency slightly but underscores the importance of maximizing points at both upcoming races. The preceding weekend at New Hampshire was rough for 23XI, with Wallace and Reddick finishing 26th and 21st, respectively, failing to gain ground in the playoff standings.
Implications for 23XI Racing’s Championship Bid Moving Forward
For Bubba Wallace and 23XI Racing, Kansas represents a pivotal opportunity to revive their competitive form as the playoffs intensify. With the season nearing its climax, every position and point matters, making the ability to perform on the 1.5-mile oval crucial. Wallace’s candid acknowledgment of recent struggles signals the team’s determination to overcome obstacles, while Hamlin’s comments reveal a strategic outlook focused on consistency rather than desperation.
As the Hollywood Casino 400 unfolds, 23XI Racing’s ability to harness past Kansas successes and adapt to a shifting competitive landscape could significantly influence Wallace’s fate in the playoff race. The team’s response to these challenges will shape their momentum heading into Charlotte and the decisive phases of the 2024 season.
