Tyler Reddick playoff struggles came sharply into focus during the latest NASCAR playoff round, as both Reddick and his 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace endured tough outings at New Hampshire. With just two races left in the Round of 12, both drivers now find themselves chasing a dwindling points gap while Chase Briscoe currently holds the final transfer spot to the next playoff stage.
After a strong start to the postseason, the momentum for both 23XI drivers faded at exactly the wrong time. Wallace had begun the round fourth in the standings, riding a healthy points cushion, while Reddick sat seventh following a runner-up finish at Darlington and two solid performances at Gateway and Bristol. Their advantage evaporated in a single race, leaving their championship hopes precarious.
Recent Performance Drop Undermines Early Playoff Success
Wallace’s promising start saw him notch consecutive top-10 finishes, but a disastrous 34th-place result at Bristol signaled trouble ahead. That warning proved true in New Hampshire. Reddick struggled with brake issues and finished 21st, while Wallace encountered handling problems, slipping from his fourth-place starting spot to finish 26th. What had appeared to be a manageable points situation quickly turned dire as both drivers saw their playoff footing falter in one afternoon.
The stakes have only increased, with Reddick now 23 points below the cutline and Wallace trailing by 27 points. Each now faces a steep climb to reach the next round, their earlier success nearly erased by consecutive setbacks.
Kansas Speedway: A Possible Turning Point
The upcoming race at Kansas Speedway looms large for Reddick and Wallace. Both drivers have history at the 1.5-mile track—Reddick clinched a playoff win there in 2023, and Wallace powered to victory in 2022 after a run that saw him claim multiple stage finishes before sealing the win. The Roval, a road course with an unpredictable layout, follows on the schedule and represents an even bigger challenge should results at Kansas disappoint.
Despite their struggles, NASCAR analyst Steve Letarte offered some perspective and defended the drivers’ efforts at Loudon.
“There’s 12 drivers in the playoffs. One has a zero in the win column this year, and it’s Tyler Reddick, and I think he’s a winning driver… They did amazing things last year… they catch up with you eventually. And I think now the #45, his path to advancement, is to go next week and change that zero. Go from a zero to a one… He had a subpar day. It could have been worse. He missed the five.”
– Steve Letarte, NASCAR Analyst
Focus Turns to Team Performance and Organizational Responsibility
Letarte went further, shifting scrutiny from Reddick and Wallace over to 23XI Racing as a whole.
“I don’t put this on the drivers. Actually, I put it in the organization. I don’t believe they gave their drivers the cars to compete. That’s not a shock. I gave my drivers a lot of bad cars and not as many good cars… It’s a competitive sport. And the good news is they’re going to Kansas. Bubba said they’ve lost some of the magic there, but I do think if there’s ever a track where they feel like they could go and be great, it’s got to be it’s got to be Kansas.”
– Steve Letarte, NASCAR Analyst
That sentiment has been echoed within the team, with co-owner Denny Hamlin acknowledging the difficulties faced at Loudon. Hamlin openly admitted to shortcomings in both speed and handling for the 23XI Toyotas, but maintained that Reddick and Wallace are not yet in true must-win territory. Hamlin pointed out that unless they fall even further behind, a strong result at Kansas could dramatically change the playoff landscape for both drivers.
Challenging Track Records Cast Doubt Over Playoff Progress
The statistical outlook, however, is not reassuring. Wallace managed a top-five finish at Kansas early in 2023, but his last four outings at the track have resulted in finishes of 33rd, 17th, 17th, and 32nd. His last promising effort was marred by a Lap 108 crash last fall, negating valuable stage points that have been so crucial to the No. 23’s playoff push. Without regularly collecting stage points, Wallace’s path forward becomes only more difficult.
Reddick’s history at Kansas has also been less than inspiring, with finishes of 17th, 25th, and 20th in his three most recent starts at the venue. With time running out and the playoff cut looming, both Reddick and Wallace must engineer a turnaround to keep their title hopes alive.
Uncertain Future as 23XI Racing Fights to Stay Alive in playoffs
The clock is ticking for Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, as their recent results leave them little margin for error. If the team cannot quickly improve their form, especially at Kansas, New Hampshire might be remembered as the turning point where 23XI Racing’s championship quest unraveled.
