NASCAR: Bubba Wallace on the hot seat at 23XI Racing?

As a gamer and a NASCAR fan with some experience following the sport, I believe Bubba Wallace will stay at 23XI Racing despite his current struggles on the track. The team has shown faith in him since his arrival, and his successes with them, such as winning at Talladega Superspeedway and Kansas Speedway, have been significant moments for the team.

Bubba Wallace’s agreement with 23XI Racing hasn’t been renewed past the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series term yet. The hints suggest that Wallace will likely continue driving the No. 23 Toyota for a fifth consecutive season. However, given that his contract isn’t extended, is there a possibility he could find himself under pressure?

Wallace is the first driver for the Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned racing team. Jordan expressed his confidence in Wallace’s abilities soon after the team was officially established in late 2020, stating that they don’t invest in individuals who lose and believing in the potential of the native of Mobile, Alabama.

Wallace’s tenure with the team has led to his greatest achievements in Cup Series racing. Despite missing out on the playoffs in both 2021 and 2022, he secured wins at Talladega Superspeedway in 2021 and Kansas Speedway in 2022. His performance improved significantly, eventually earning him a spot in the playoffs for the first time in 2023.

In the year 2024, he stands winless and fails to make the cut for the playoffs, which is growing progressively more challenging as no fewer than twelve different champions have arisen during the season.

Wallace faces additional challenges due to the impressive performance of Tyler Reddick at 23XI Racing. Since his arrival, Reddick has proven himself to be among the top drivers in the series, winning more races than Wallace has managed since the latter joined the team two years ago. Moreover, Reddick currently stands on the brink of a three-race win streak.

The driver ranking fourth in races, piloting the No. 45 Toyota, consistently performs well on weekends and has climbed up to third place in the season standings. He is now close enough to take over the leading position. Boasting an impressive record of thirteen top ten finishes against Wallace’s six, and eight top five results as opposed to Wallace’s meager three.

Last year, Reddick surpassed Wallace’s performances, earning a place in the round of 8 with two wins during his debut season with the team. Meanwhile, Wallace qualified for the playoffs for the first time in his career, but it was Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 9 team that secured the 16th and final playoff position over 23XI Racing’s No. 23 team.

If Chase Elliott hadn’t missed seven races in the 2020 season, it would have required a disappointing string of results from the previous year’s champion to prevent Wallace from staying within reach of the playoff cutoff.

In the 2022 season, which marked Wallace’s first full campaign with a teammate, he faced stiff competition from Kurt Busch. Despite this being Busch’s fifth and final year in NASCAR racing, he managed to secure eight top-10 finishes in fewer races than Wallace, who had achieved six such results during the regular season. Notably, Busch earned his playoff spot due to a win at Kansas, but was later forced to withdraw because of an injury.

Bubba Wallace likely to stay at 23XI Racing

Corey Heim is considered 23XI Racing’s rising star in driving, but they are reportedly among the three teams vying for a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Gene Haas intends to keep one of the four charters, while another is being transferred to Front Row Motorsports. Trackhouse Racing Team is also rumored to be a contender for acquiring a charter.

It’s logical for the racing team associated with Joe Gibbs to consider expanding, considering their consistent progress each year. Introducing a third car significantly decreases the likelihood of them parting ways with Wallace.

Despite not reaching Reddick’s caliber and lacking a standout performance or career-defining season, Wallace is an excellent alternative for 23XI Racing. Given the scarcity of elite drivers remaining in the pool, his addition to their team would be a valuable choice.

Introducing a third vehicle brings an extra requirement for balance, and introducing two new drivers simultaneously might lead to mishaps. Moreover, it’s uncertain if Heim will join the team at all; Riley Herbst is another potential candidate.

Wallace finds himself in the 15th position in the season’s point ranking, yet he falls short by 45 points to qualify for the playoffs. The success of numerous other drivers has hindered his progress, causing some disappointment on his part.

Last Sunday, after the Chicago street race had finished, he rammed Alex Bowman’s car into the wall. This occurred not long after Hamlin had called for NASCAR to impose penalties on Carson Hocevar for his retaliatory move against Harrison Burton at Nashville Superspeedway. Hocevar had caused Burton to spin under caution.

Hamlin adjusted his stance to defend Wallace, implying that the driver’s actions haven’t put him at odds with the team. NASCAR imposed a fine on him, and he acknowledged his mistake.

Hamlin’s past includes an intriguing encounter with Bowman, who interrupted his victory celebration. Wallace was careful not to label Bowman as unskilled.

Wallace possesses a unique skill set among drivers, drawing significant attention to motorsports with his captivating performances. Despite facing criticism from some on social media, he continues to be a beloved figure among fans and an alluring prospect for sponsors.

If 23XI Racing doesn’t see significant changes in his performance, such as him falling behind consistently or experiencing frequent crashes, it would be imprudent for them to terminate their contract with him at this point in his racing career. It is unrealistic to expect every driver to match Reddick’s level of performance consistently.

As a dedicated fan, I’d express it this way: Wallace could significantly boost his confidence and quell any lingering doubts about his tenure with the team by securing a win in the upcoming race – his first victory in two long years. Making it into the playoffs through winning races is still an unfulfilled goal for him.

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2024-07-14 16:02