Questions are growing regarding Tyler Reddick NASCAR Cup Series performance as 23XI Racing faces a challenging season in 2025. While both Reddick and Bubba Wallace are inside the projected playoff cut, analysts and team members are expressing concern over their prospects, with recent results amplifying worries about their competitiveness and reliability.
Season Turns Difficult for 23XI Racing
As the Cup Series crosses the midpoint of the season, neither 23XI Racing driver is standing out as a championship threat. Reddick, who clinched the 2024 regular season title, has yet to claim a win and is not demonstrating the same speed as the prior year. Wallace has encountered repeated setbacks, collecting six “Did Not Finish” marks. In the latest episode of his Happy Hour podcast, FOX Sports analyst Kevin Harvick made his apprehensions clear.
“I would say there are some concerns about the 23XI speed in general,”
—Kevin Harvick, FOX Sports Analyst
“I don’t think Reddick has been as fast; I think Bubba started really well and has been kind of average in a lot of the most recent weeks. To me, the speed part from the 45 car is concerning to me. He’s done a good job with his experience in keeping cars in races and getting finishes out of them, but that overall raw speed — I haven’t seen it from either one of them in several weeks.”
—Kevin Harvick, FOX Sports Analyst
The team entered new territory this year, expanding operations to a three-car lineup with Riley Herbst piloting the No. 35 toyota/”>Toyota. However, Herbst’s adjustment from Xfinity Series to Cup competition has been bumpy. A recent outing at Pocono Raceway underscored 23XI’s hurdles, as all three cars suffered brake issues and posted positions outside the top 30.
Co-owner Denny Hamlin Expresses Frustration After Pocono
Team co-owner Denny Hamlin, who also races for Joe Gibbs Racing, aired his frustrations on his Actions Detrimental podcast. He criticized 23XI’s inability to match the speed and execution of JGR, while noting that issues extend beyond just performance numbers.
“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,”
—Denny Hamlin, 23XI Co-owner
Hamlin highlighted issues beyond simple pace, suggesting that while their cars performed well during practice, translating that speed to race results has been problematic. He pointed to inability to execute across an entire race distance, mentioning specific incidents such as mechanical failures and race accidents that have hampered Wallace’s results.
“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.”
—Denny Hamlin, 23XI Co-owner
What’s at Stake as the Playoffs Approach?
With Reddick and Wallace both currently within the playoff bubble, expectations remain tempered due to ongoing team-wide hinderances and lack of on-track speed. Riley Herbst’s transition continues to pose challenges for the group, underscoring the impact of increased team size and complexity. The team’s performance at Pocono Raceway, where all members finished outside the top 30, only highlights the degree of work required to regain top-tier form.
The pressure is mounting on 23XI Racing to resolve mechanical issues, unlock more speed, and improve race execution as the playoffs draw near. Key figures like Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin are openly questioning the team’s trajectory, making the coming weeks critical for Tyler Reddick NASCAR Cup Series performance and the organization’s larger playoff ambitions.
