Bubba Wallace is running out of room to breathe in the playoff standings, and the timing could not be worse. After two straight rough finishes, he now sits just above the cutline with eight races left. At the same time, Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, has spoken with sharp honesty about what matters most moving forward. The pressure is real, and the message behind it may shape what happens next—on the track and beyond.
Atlanta Adds More Trouble Than Traction
Ahead of Atlanta, Wallace was 57 points above the playoff cutline — a relatively comfortable margin. But as Steve Letarte noted pre-race, that gap was deceptive. “Even Bubba Wallace, who is a chunk above, right? 57 points above in 13th. That scares me,” Letarte said, predicting trouble ahead. Unfortunately, he was right.
Wallace’s day unraveled quickly. After avoiding three consecutive DNFs in the prior weeks and putting together a strong trio of finishes — P6 at Nashville, P4 at Michigan, and P12 at Mexico City — he was caught in the massive 23-car wreck that defined Atlanta’s race. Although he managed to return to the track, his wounded car couldn’t climb higher than 22nd. That result, compounded by a 36th-place finish at Pocono the week before (brake failure), has made Wallace’s playoff position more precarious than ever.
Now, he sits just 23 points above the cutline, with multiple winless drivers right behind him looking to steal a playoff spot with one timely victory. Names like Ryan Preece, Austin Cindric, and Michael McDowell are all within striking distance — and one chaotic race could flip the table entirely.
Denny Hamlin’s Tough Love
When asked about Wallace’s situation on the Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin didn’t hold back. “I just know the resources that we’ve put in at 23XI, and all of our drivers should win,” Hamlin stated bluntly.
“That is the expectation that I have of them. Obviously, it is a results-based business, and if you don’t over time, you consider your options.”
It’s a stern but fair statement from a team owner who’s invested heavily in 23XI Racing’s growth. Wallace, who has shown flashes of brilliance but inconsistent results, is feeling that pressure more than ever.
Still, Hamlin wasn’t entirely dismissive.
“I’ve seen enough progression, specifically, from the [Wallace] standpoint, that I can see where this can go. Putting himself in a playoff position year after year is good, but winning makes it better.” – Denny Hamlin
Wallace, for his part, seems to understand what’s at stake.
“We have expected to win at this point in the season, and we have yet to do that. If we can just do our jobs, there’s no one behind us in the points that can beat us.” – Bubba wallace
Why Chicago Could Be Wallace’s Turning Point
Next up on the calendar is the Chicago Street Course, a venue that offers both opportunity and risk. For Wallace, it represents a chance to regain momentum — and maybe even secure a win that would silence the doubters.
Street courses have been an area of improvement for Wallace, though he’s yet to find true success. In the 2023 Chicago debut, Wallace struggled in treacherous rain conditions and finished 31st. But in 2024, he returned more composed, navigating the narrow circuit with greater poise and finishing a respectable 13th.
That’s still outside the top 10, but it marked progress — and for a driver known for his adaptability, a breakout performance could be on the horizon. The nature of street courses — where track position, survival, and strategy are just as critical as raw speed — could play into Wallace’s hands.
The Bigger Picture: Playoffs and 2025
Wallace’s playoff hopes are one thing, but the longer-term implications could be even more pressing. His contract status beyond 2025 has not been publicly confirmed, and while 23XI Racing has continued to show faith in his potential, the Cup Series is unforgiving. As younger talents like Corey Heim and Connor Zilisch rise through the ranks, and as charter value skyrockets, every seat in the garage becomes more competitive.
If Wallace can’t close the deal in 2025 with at least a playoff berth — or ideally, a win — questions about his future at 23XI will only intensify. Hamlin’s message, delivered with professionalism but little ambiguity, made that clear.
News in Brief: Denny Hamlin Puts Bubba Wallace on Notice
With only eight races left in the regular season, Bubba Wallace faces a defining moment in his NASCAR Cup Series journey. The No. 23 Toyota has speed, and Wallace has the talent. But this sport rewards execution, consistency, and above all — winning.
Chicago offers a shot at redemption, but more than that, it offers Wallace a chance to prove that he’s not just a bubble driver — he’s a playoff driver. And maybe more. The next few weeks will tell us everything we need to know.
ALSO READ: How Denny Hamlin Earned His First Paycheck Before Becoming a NASCAR Superstar
