In the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, 23XI Racing’s performance has noticeably slipped, and racing analyst Kyle Petty believes the root cause is the team’s recent expansion to a three-car lineup. Teams led by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, as well as Justin Marks’ Trackhouse, have shown plenty of promise as emerging contenders, but both organizations have seen their momentum fizzle this year after adding new drivers to their ranks.
Trackhouse and 23XI Rose as Underdogs, But Growth Brought New Challenges
Trackhouse Racing burst onto the scene when Ross Chastain secured his first Cup win in 2022 during the introduction of the Next Gen NASCAR vehicle. This win marked the start of a strong run for the team, with Daniel Suarez also clinching his maiden Cup victory at Sonoma, and the organization creating a buzz with Shane van Gisbergen’s debut through Project 91.
Despite these achievements, Trackhouse’s 2025 campaign has not lived up to previous years. Ross Chastain, who set higher standards in 2022 with two wins and an average finish of 13.25, has only one win this season and his average finish has slipped to 15.97. His top-ten results have sharply declined—from 15 in 2022 to just three in 2025—highlighting a general drop-off in pace for the No. 1 team car. Daniel Suarez’s departure to make way for Connor Zilisch in 2026, and Shane van Gisbergen’s current role in the team’s third full-time entry, reflect further changes in team structure.
23XI Racing has experienced a parallel storyline. Following the signing of Riley Herbst for 2025 and a shift to a three-car operation, both Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace have faced a downturn in fortunes. Reddick, last year’s regular season champion, has not yet recorded a victory and finds himself relying on consistent point finishes to keep playoff hopes alive. Wallace‘s pace has lessened compared to his previous season, with his only standout being a signature win at Indianapolis.
Petty’s Perspective: The Third Car Curse
Kyle Petty, referencing both Trackhouse and 23XI Racing, suggests the addition of a third team entry has disrupted previously successful two-car setups. He outlined his observations with a theory from personal experience, stating,
This is the crazy Kyle Petty theory. We look at Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez; they were setting the world on fire. They add that third car, what happens? They go flat. We look at Bubba and Tyler, they’re setting the world on fire with a two-car team. They add that third car, what happens? They go flat.
— Kyle Petty
Petty continued, citing the challenges faced by his own team in the past,
We at Petty Enterprises never set the world on fire with two-car teams, but when we went to three, we were terrible. We were worse. It was that third thing you just couldn’t wrap your arms around. When you got the four, it was better because you had two teams working together.
— Kyle Petty
End-of-Season Pressure Builds for Key Drivers
Heading into the decisive Charlotte Roval event, all three drivers—Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace of 23XI, alongside Trackhouse’s Ross Chastain—face the possibility of playoff elimination with even a minor misstep. The pressure mounts as each competes for a must-win scenario, with recent results amplifying the stakes after Wallace was unable to capitalize on a potential win last weekend. Petty’s argument, balancing his reputation for outlandish theories, has found practical validation given the clear shifts seen in team performance this year.
Why Expanded Rosters Challenge NASCAR Teams
The experiences of 23XI Racing and Trackhouse in 2025 highlight the complexities of growing a NASCAR team. Adding a third entry demands more resources, technical coordination, and internal balance—factors that, according to Petty, have historically made it difficult for teams to maintain or build upon previous successes. The upcoming playoff rounds will provide further evidence as to whether these growing pains are short-lived or indicative of a larger trend among ambitious racing organizations aiming to expand their reach on the track.
