Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver, is taking care to keep his distance from teammates Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick as the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin. Despite owning the building where 23XI Racing operates, Hamlin purposely avoids team meetings and strategy sessions during this critical time to prevent any conflict of interest and maintain fair competition space.
Hamlin acknowledged at Darlington that while he has unparalleled access to the team’s car setups and plans, he consciously steps back to allow Wallace and Reddick to develop and execute their strategies independently. He understands how important it is not to disadvantage his fellow drivers by mixing knowledge between his own and their playoff efforts.
I feel like there is a good balance that I try to have,
Hamlin explained.
I try to give them, while I am able to have access to everything, I give them a little bit of space during the playoffs. I don’t think it’s necessarily fair if I go and see their strategy meeting and then go sit in mine.
This approach stems from Hamlin’s personal experience, knowing how frustrating it can be when confidential tactics are exposed to competitors. He emphasized,
I do give them their competition space when it comes to the playoffs, because ultimately, while I’m still driving, nothing would anger me more than to give them a secret of mine and then it knocks me out of the playoffs. I let them do it themselves for these ten (races).
Reddick Prioritizes Competition Over Ownership Ties
Tyler Reddick, who joined 23XI Racing in 2023 after leaving Richard Childress Racing, remains fully focused on racing Hamlin as a direct competitor rather than as a teammate or co-owner. Hamlin’s early belief in Reddick’s potential helped convince him to change teams, and since then, Reddick has proven himself with multiple victories, solidifying their mutual respect off the track.
However, when it comes to racing, Reddick gets serious and treats Hamlin like any other rival striving for a championship. On SpeedFreaks earlier this year, Reddick stated,
On the track, we race each other as if he’s not my owner and I’m not his driver.
Despite the tension that intense rivalry can create, both drivers remain mindful about avoiding unnecessary conflicts within 23XI Racing. Their head-to-head battles during the playoffs will be especially significant as they each seek to advance in the highly competitive field.
Implications for 23XI Racing’s Playoff Strategy
Denny Hamlin’s conscious decision to keep a respectful distance from his teammates during the playoffs illustrates the delicate balance between ownership interests and competition within 23XI Racing. By allowing Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick to operate independently, Hamlin helps maintain fairness and trust within the team while focusing on his own performance for the playoffs.
The upcoming races will test this unspoken agreement as all three drivers vie for victories and a chance to progress toward the championship. With Hamlin’s veteran insight behind the scenes and Reddick’s fierce approach on the track, 23XI Racing’s playoff performance is expected to draw close attention from fans and competitors alike.
