During the recent NASCAR Cup Series event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, marking the start of the Round of 12 in the playoffs, Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing faced significant challenges. Bubba Wallace NASCAR playoffs hopes were tested as both Wallace and his teammate Tyler Reddick, allied through Joe Gibbs Racing, finished far lower than expected, placing 21st and 23rd in the 2025 Mobil 1 301 race, respectively.
Wallace’s Consistent Speed Drops Off Amid Playoff Competition
Throughout the season, Bubba Wallace had demonstrated strong and consistent performances, keeping himself well-positioned in the playoff standings. Coming into New Hampshire, Wallace carried a comfortable points cushion after advancing past Bristol in the previous round. However, last Sunday’s race revealed difficulties for both drivers, as their cars failed to maintain the competitive speed and handling that had become their hallmark this season.
Denny Hamlin compared the lackluster pace of their vehicles to those of their Joe Gibbs Racing allies, highlighting the disparity.
It seemed like wherever we were, they were ten spots behind. If we were mediocre, they were below mediocre. Just didn’t have the speed, didn’t have the handling. Not good,
said Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 car.
Points Deficit Puts Drivers on Elimination Alert but Not Yet Desperate
Wallace currently sits 27 points below the playoff cut line, with Reddick 23 points behind, making them the first contenders at risk of elimination. Despite this precarious position, Hamlin contends that neither driver is in a must-win situation to continue in the postseason.
Speaking on the recent Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin explained that a single victory is not strictly necessary given the points they can still accumulate in the remaining races.
Must-win is you’re below 30 points out going into the last race. With two races to go, there’s too much other stuff that can happen. You can go out and have yourself a 50-point day at Kansas, and next thing you know, I bet you’re going to be minus five, maybe flat.
Potential for Recovery Hinges on Strong Performances at Upcoming Races
Hamlin acknowledged that achieving a “50-point day”—which means finishing among the top three in all three stages plus the race finish—is a difficult feat that requires near race-winning performance at tracks like Kansas or the Charlotte Roval. Still, he emphasized that there remains time and opportunity to rebound from their current situation.
The unpredictable nature of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs means that while some may view 23XI Racing’s current predicament as a must-win scenario, much depends on how the remaining rounds unfold. The team must show considerable improvement soon if both Wallace and Reddick hope to extend their campaigns.
In summary, despite the setbacks at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and the pressing points deficits, Denny Hamlin’s confidence suggests that the Bubba Wallace NASCAR playoffs journey is not over, though the urgency to perform at a high level in the upcoming races is unmistakable.
