Bubba Wallace and 23XI Racing are preparing for a crucial moment at Kansas Speedway, as Wallace seeks to overcome recent setbacks and avoid elimination from the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The Bubba Wallace Kansas playoff race has become a critical focal point, with the team needing to rediscover its strong pace at the 1.5-mile oval this weekend.
23XI Racing Looks to Recover Previous Kansas Success
Wallace has openly addressed the team’s struggles at Kansas, noting that their recent outings have fallen short of expectations at a track where they once excelled. In 2022, 23XI Racing celebrated two Kansas Speedway victories, with Kurt Busch and Wallace each claiming a win. Tyler Reddick continued the team’s momentum in 2023 by taking the checkered flag in the #45 Toyota. However, Chevrolet competitors have dominated during the 2024 season, as Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain captured wins and shifted the balance of power away from 23XI and Toyota.
The pressure is mounting for Wallace, who enters the Kansas event 27 points below the playoff cutline in 12th place, just behind teammate Reddick. Failing to earn crucial points in the upcoming race would leave Wallace at a severe disadvantage heading into the season finale at the Charlotte Roval, significantly diminishing his prospects of advancing to the Round of 8.
When discussing the Hollywood Casino 400, scheduled for September 28 at 3:00 p.m. ET, Wallace reflected on recent performances:
“Kansas—we haven’t had much to brag about the last few times we’ve been there.”
Bubba Wallace, #23 Driver, 23XI Racing
“We’ve got to find our mojo back there.” he added.
Bubba Wallace, #23 Driver, 23XI Racing
Wallace Faces Stiff Competition Heading Into Playoffs
With an average Kansas finish of 21.5, Wallace lags behind many of his Chevrolet rivals. Chase Elliott, the best-performing active driver at this track, boasts a 10.4 average finish, while Kyle Larson maintains a strong 12.4. Among his Toyota brand colleagues in Joe Gibbs Racing, Christopher Bell matches Larson’s average, and Denny Hamlin is close behind at 12.9. This context highlights the challenge for Wallace and 23XI Racing as they fight for playoff survival.
The upcoming 267-lap race sees only Ryan Blaney, representing Team Penske, already through to the next round following last weekend’s triumph at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. As a result, Wallace and other drivers must contend for every available point to keep their championship hopes alive.
Team Leadership Comments on Playoff Pressure
Denny Hamlin, both 23XI Racing co-owner and #11 driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, offered calm insight regarding Wallace’s current playoff predicament. With Wallace sitting 27 points under the cutline, Hamlin emphasized on his Actions Detrimental podcast that a must-win scenario typically arises only when a driver is more than 30 points back going into the last race of the round:
“Must-win is you’re below 30 points out going into the last race, like, that’s must-win. With two races to go, just too much other stuff can happen. You can go out there, and you can have yourself a 50-point day at Kansas, and next thing you know, I bet you’re going to be minus five, or maybe flat.”
Denny Hamlin, Co-owner, 23XI Racing
Hamlin’s remarks highlight the unpredictable nature of the playoffs but underline the importance of a strong showing at Kansas to keep Wallace’s destiny in his own hands.
Recent Form Poses Challenge to Playoff Bid
23XI Racing’s recent performance at New Hampshire exemplified the struggles that have hampered their playoff campaign. Wallace and Reddick both finished outside the top 20, with Wallace coming in 26th and Reddick taking 21st, missing opportunities to gain ground in the playoff standings. As a result, both drivers are now in a precarious position, joined by Austin Cindric in tenth, who is 19 points down, and Ross Chastain trailing by 12 points. In contrast, Chase Briscoe currently enjoys a 12-point buffer above the cutline, while Denny Hamlin sits safely in fifth place, 27 points clear of elimination.
What’s at Stake for Wallace and 23XI Racing?
As the Bubba Wallace Kansas playoff race approaches, both Wallace and his team are well aware that their championship hopes rest on a bounce-back performance at Kansas Speedway. The outcome of the Hollywood Casino 400 may well determine whether Wallace advances to the next playoff round, given the challenging points deficit he faces. The intensity and emotional stakes surrounding the event signal a must-deliver moment for Wallace, his teammates, and the broader 23XI Racing organization as the NASCAR playoffs sprint toward their crucial final rounds.
