Tyler Reddick’s playoff struggle intensified after a turbulent outing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where both he and 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace suffered significant setbacks on Sunday. The disappointing results left the team below the cutline in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, raising urgent concerns as the playoffs push forward.
Entering the New Hampshire weekend, Bubba Wallace was in high spirits despite a rough experience at Bristol, due to decent results at Darlington and Gateway that kept him above the all-important playoff cutoff. Before the race, Wallace even shared a light-hearted moment with Shane van Gisbergen, highlighting his optimism. However, that positive outlook quickly faded as post-race reactions from both Wallace and Reddick reflected deep disappointment, with neither trying to mask their frustrations.
23XI Racing’s Challenging Day at New Hampshire
Sunday did not unfold as 23XI Racing had planned at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where owners Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan watched their team battle on a confusing and difficult day. Reddick managed a 21st-place finish, with Riley Herbst just behind in 22nd, while Wallace struggled through a frustrating run to 26th. For Reddick and Wallace—both still technically alive in the postseason—the result marked a harsh blow at the start of the playoff’s second round.
Wallace now finds himself in 12th place in the standings, trailing the cutoff by 27 points—a tough position for the recent Brickyard 400 winner, who had entered with higher expectations. The disappointment was made clear among the team and fans, as attention immediately shifted to the upcoming races.
“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)
The struggles at Loudon have prompted 23XI Racing to reflect on their strategy and performance, knowing Kansas has historically been kinder to the organization, with three previous victories to show for their efforts there.
Bubba Wallace’s Frustrations and Honest Assessment
Bubba Wallace did not hide his irritation following the lackluster showing, offering candid comments about the issues faced throughout the race. His early progress was dashed by the timing of a caution, and he felt the car never regained its edge afterward, describing it as a major letdown.
“Just a miss all around, really,” — Bubba Wallace
“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.” — Bubba Wallace
“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.” — Bubba Wallace
Wallace expressed that, despite initial hopes, the team was unable to find the pace they needed. He rejected the idea of dwelling on the setback, making it clear the focus must quickly shift to the remaining races if they want to remain in playoff contention.
“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,” — Bubba Wallace
Brake Woes Undermine Tyler Reddick’s Playoff Bid
Tyler Reddick, a former regular season champion, faced his own set of challenges during the race. Brake problems developed early on, hampering his ability to control the vehicle and changing the direction of his day before he had a chance to compete for a stronger finish. The unexpected mechanical issues forced Reddick into a mode of damage control, focusing on salvaging whatever points he could as the race unfolded.
“I didn’t expect that — that’s for sure,” — Tyler Reddick
Initially optimistic about his chances to run in the top 10 all day, Reddick saw the balance disappear after the brake problems surfaced, reducing his fight to mid-pack battles.
“The balance went away, and then (the) next thing you know, we were trying to battle for 20th,” — Tyler Reddick
With the result, Reddick now sits just above Wallace in the Cup Series standings but remains outside the playoff safe zone by 23 points, with only two races left to redeem his campaign.
“Yeah, there’s just a lot of question marks, honestly. Places we have had speed at, we don’t bring speed,” — Tyler Reddick
“That’s been one of them for us. Yeah, we need something special to happen. I’m hoping we find the answer.” — Tyler Reddick
Looking Toward Kansas With Hope for Redemption
Both Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace are acutely aware that time is running short. Wallaces’ confusion and disappointment are mirrored by the urgency in Reddick’s comments, as both know the importance of finding immediate solutions. The team’s history at Kansas provides a potential silver lining; both drivers have recorded victories at the 1.5-mile track, and their 23XI Racing team has a record of strong performances there.
With two races left to close the gap in the playoff standings, the significance of the upcoming race at Kansas cannot be overstated. The outcome will reveal whether the team’s playoff ambitions remain alive or if the turbulent stretch at New Hampshire was a sign of deeper challenges yet to come. The next race offers both Reddick and Wallace a crucial chance to shift momentum as the playoff battle intensifies.
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
