Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick faced a harsh reality following their poor performances at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday. Despite promising moments earlier in the season, the 23XI Racing drivers delivered disappointing results, jeopardizing their playoff chances as the Round of 12 began. The Tyler Reddick playoff disappointment was clear as both drivers fell well below the cutoff line, raising serious concerns for the team owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan.
Wallace struggled most, finishing 26th, while Reddick ended in 21st with teammate Riley Herbst just behind in 22nd. Heading into the race, Wallace had maintained a buffering position due to strong finishes at Darlington and Gateway, but New Hampshire shattered that momentum. Now sitting 27 points below the playoff cutoff, Wallace’s hopes for a solid run to the championship are fading fast.
Technical Issues and Struggles Hamper Tyler Reddick’s Efforts
Early in the race, Reddick encountered brake problems that significantly affected his vehicle’s balance and handling. Initially confident of competing in the top 10 given the car’s setup, the issues quickly derailed his performance. Reddick spent the latter stages battling just to stay out of the back of the field, a stark contrast to pre-race expectations.
“I didn’t expect that — that’s for sure,”
said Reddick, who won the 2024 regular season title.
“The way the race started, I thought we were going to be able to run in the top 10 all day, but between the brake issues we had, it just got away [quickly].”
He later added,
“The balance went away, and then (the) next thing you know, we were trying to battle for 20th. Just (a) terrible day.”
Currently trailing the playoff cutoff by 23 points, Reddick faces an uphill battle with only two races remaining to secure his spot. He admitted the team is searching for answers after recent struggles with speed at tracks where they had previously performed well.
“Yeah, there’s just a lot of question marks, honestly. Places we have had speed at, we don’t bring speed,”
he explained.
“That’s been one of them for us. Yeah, we need something special to happen. I’m hoping we find the answer.”
Bubba Wallace Reflects on a Frustrating Night and Looks Ahead
Wallace was equally blunt about his team’s disappointing performance, describing their race as a “head scratcher.” After starting the weekend with optimism and a sense of momentum, he found the car unable to maintain competitive speed beyond a brief strong burst early on.
“Just a miss all around, really,”
Wallace commented.
“We couldn’t really seem to get things going. Our best run lasted for five laps, the caution came out, and then it was just right back to no good.”
I hate it, he added.
“I felt really optimistic and marched forward at the start, and it just never really went anywhere. We kind of plateaued (on) Lap 5, and that was it. I hate that.”
Despite the pain of the current setback, Wallace emphasized the need to move forward quickly.
“It’s just a head scratcher. I told our team we’re way better than that. We know it. As much of a gut punch as this one is, we’ll move on. This is what we’ve got to do,”
he said, underscoring the urgency as the playoffs continue.
23XI Racing Looks to Rebound at Kansas Speedway
With playoff pressure mounting, 23XI Racing will aim to reset at Kansas Speedway, a track where both Wallace and Reddick have previously found success. The 1.5-mile oval has been kind to the team in recent seasons, with three wins logged there, offering a crucial opportunity to regain lost ground.
Both drivers will be eager to demonstrate that New Hampshire was an anomaly rather than a trend. The upcoming races are now critical for their championship hopes, with each point increasingly valuable as the playoff field narrows.
Ahead of Kansas, the team remains anxious but determined to reverse course. Wallace’s early-season promise and Reddick’s status as the 2024 regular season champion add weight to the expectation that 23XI can find the form needed to continue competing deep into the postseason.
Fan and Analyst Reactions Reflect Frustration and Uncertainty
Observers of the sport echoed the disappointment felt within the team. One social media post summed up the mood concisely:
“Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick didn’t sugarcoat it; Sunday’s race at New Hampshire was a disappointment for both 23XI Racing Playoff-contending teams. They’re now well below the cutline, but they head to Kansas, where 23XI has scored 3 wins in the past.”
— TobyChristie.com
This uneasy outlook highlights the challenges 23XI faces in maintaining their playoff position and the high stakes involved as the Cup Series enters the final stretch.
Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick didn't sugarcoat it; Sunday's race at New Hampshire was a disappointment for both 23XI Racing Playoff-contending teams. They're now well below the cutline, but they head to Kansas, where 23XI has scored 3 wins in the past: https://t.co/3GYbhxIvSU
— TobyChristie.com (@TobyChristieCom) September 22, 2025
Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick didn't sugarcoat it; Sunday's race at New Hampshire was a disappointment for both 23XI Racing Playoff-contending teams. They're now well below the cutline, but they head to Kansas, where 23XI has scored 3 wins in the past: https://t.co/3GYbhxIvSU
— TobyChristie.com (@TobyChristieCom) September 22, 2025
