After showing real progress in 2023 and 2024, 23XI Racing is now grappling with serious difficulties as the 2025 season unfolds. Despite expanding to a three-car operation with Riley Herbst joining Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, the team remains winless through seventeen races. Their latest troubles at Pocono Raceway left all three cars plagued by brake problems, resulting in finishes outside the top 30. These struggles have prompted co-owner Denny Hamlin to openly express concern over the team’s performance, highlighting the current situation as “painful.”
Denny Hamlin Addresses Ongoing Brake Issues and Team Performance
Hamlin stressed his uncertainty regarding why 23XI consistently encounters brake failures, especially when compared to Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). He outlined the frustration during the recent Actions Detrimental podcast, noting,
“I don’t know what’s going on over there, but typically when JGR doesn’t have brake issues, 23XI does and I don’t know why,”
Hamlin said.
“I wish I could give you more insight on it. They obviously all three had brake issues and we’ve got to figure that out. They had things going very well, but it’s painful right now.”
Reflecting on how the team was performing well before these faults emerged, Hamlin’s comments reveal the pressing challenges inside 23XI and the uncertainty around their root causes.
Tyler Reddick Holds Postseason Position Despite the Team’s Woes
Among the three drivers, Tyler Reddick is currently in a more secure spot as he sits 107 points above the playoff cutline. However, with 11 different winners so far this season and nine regular-season races still remaining, the standings are volatile and may shift rapidly. Reddick’s position offers hope for 23XI, but sustaining momentum will require overcoming their technical setbacks.
Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst Confront Difficult Pocono Race
Bubba Wallace’s situation remains precarious with only a 29-point buffer above the cutoff, despite recording six top-10 finishes this year. These positive results, however, are offset by six Did Not Finishes (DNFs), including another rough outing at Pocono. The team was forced to replace Wallace’s starter just before the race, delaying his qualifying run despite having the second-fastest five-lap practice average. During the race, a blown right-front tire on Lap 54 forced Wallace out.
Similarly, rookie Riley Herbst has faced inconsistent results during his first year with the No. 35 Toyota. The Pocono race underlined the team’s ongoing struggles, highlighting mechanical issues that have hindered their ability to consistently compete at the front.
Hamlin Analyzes Performance Gaps Compared to Joe Gibbs Racing
Hamlin has chosen to focus on the comparison between 23XI and Joe Gibbs Racing rather than other rising teams like RFK Racing. He remarked,
“No. I’m looking at 23XI versus JGR saying, ‘What the hell.’ That’s what I’m looking at. I can’t compare different manufacturers, different stuff,”
Hamlin explained.
“I can compare what I know our resources are and I can’t say it’s speed. Maybe a little bit of it is speed, but both our cars were good in practice. The 23 was going to qualify well, the 45 did qualify well. It’s just other stuff. They cannot put together races. Like, from green to checkered. It’s not one person or one thing.”
This assessment underscores the multifaceted nature of 23XI’s difficulties, suggesting that mechanical failures and other factors beyond driver capability are to blame.
Acknowledging Bubba Wallace’s Positive Attitude Amid Team Struggles
Despite setbacks, Hamlin praised Wallace’s mental toughness and adaptability, noting that his attitude has been a critical positive influence. Hamlin observed,
“Mechanicals just killed the 23 this week. Other people’s wrecks have killed the 23 over the last few weeks. Nothing he’s doing. What I really appreciate is Bubba Wallace’s attitude. I mean, a 180. Weeks like this, it would have to be full therapy mode in past years. But I really appreciate [his attitude]. It makes it so much easier for us to fix these problems while we’re not trying to fix an attitude problem as well. It just makes it easier. It’s on us to step up for him, at this point.”
This statement highlights how Wallace’s professionalism helps the team focus on correcting technical issues rather than handling morale problems, making the repair process smoother.
The Road Ahead for 23XI Racing and Its Drivers
As the regular season nears its final stretch, 23XI Racing faces a pivotal moment. The team’s inability to finish strong races consistently jeopardizes their chance of victories and long-term playoff success. Reddick’s current cushion offers some reassurance, but with the unpredictable nature of this season, 23XI must address its mechanical faults and race-day strategy to remain competitive. Hamlin’s candid reflections reveal an organization striving to find answers amid mounting pressure, with the expectation that soon they will overcome these hurdles and deliver more consistent performances.
