Bubba Wallace openly discussed his challenges with road courses after the recent Charlotte ROVAL race, stating that both he and Denny Hamlin, his 23XI Racing team boss, continue to face difficulties on these tracks. The topic of Bubba Wallace road course struggles was highlighted as he reflected on another tough event, following a 15th-place finish on Sunday.
Wallace and Hamlin Confront Difficulties at the ROVAL
Following a long 109-lap run at Charlotte’s famed ROVAL circuit, Wallace expressed his frustration over not being able to manage tire wear effectively, a skill he otherwise demonstrates strongly on short tracks. He emphasized that the ongoing problems with road course performance are not for lack of trying but due to an overall team package that has not met expectations, particularly with high stakes in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
“Just was thrown for a loop with this tire, and it is funny to look at myself and Denny (Hamlin) and a couple others at the short tracks, when tires degrade, we are pretty good at being able to save tire,” Bubba Wallace said during his post-race interview. “Him and I both suck on road courses and we can’t save tires on road courses. It is just frustrating. Frustrated at self, just knowing what was on the line, and didn’t produce.”
Hamlin, despite logging his poorest finish since Bristol with a 23rd place result, remains in the playoff hunt thanks to an eight-point buffer above the cutoff. His Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Christopher Bell, is also still competing in the playoffs. However, for 23XI Racing, Wallace’s playoff journey came to a close with the recent results, eliminating the team from contention this season.
Season Overview and Performance for 23XI’s Wallace
Currently ranked 10th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, Wallace has accumulated 2,177 points after 32 races this season. At 31 years old, the Alabama native has secured five top-five and thirteen top-ten finishes, leading a total of 368 laps. Notably, he was the sole representative from 23XI Racing in this year’s Cup Series playoffs, earning his spot through race victories rather than overall points.
After Kansas: Tension and Resolution With Hamlin
The week prior, Wallace found himself at the center of dramatic on-track action during the Kansas showdown. After a strong late-race restart, he briefly claimed the lead before Hamlin made a determined attempt to pass. In the maneuver, Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota collided with Wallace’s No. 23, pushing Wallace into the outside wall. This allowed Chase Elliott to overtake both drivers for the win. While Hamlin recovered for a second-place finish, Wallace finished in fifth, expressing anger at the outcome—especially since the victory slipped away to a Chevrolet competitor.
After a week filled with tension, Wallace revealed that he and Hamlin finally spoke and were able to resolve their differences in a calm exchange. Their conversation reportedly offered both clarity and closure after the heated incident.
“It was definitely a somber week for sure. I hate that it got to this point, the lingering effect. Denny and I just talked 30 minutes ago. It was a good, heart-to-heart conversation, came from a place of peace. (It) went better than I thought it would.”
“He shared his side of things, and I shared mine, and we had common ground,” he added.
Looking Ahead: Aiming for Victory Beyond the Playoffs
Even though Bubba Wallace is now out of playoff contention, he remains in a strong position to chase further victories. The next race for the 23XI driver will be the South Point 400, set to take place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 12. The 267-lap event is scheduled for an evening start and will be available on USA Network with live radio coverage provided by PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
This period marks a pivotal time in Wallace’s season, as he works to overcome road course difficulties and seeks redemption at upcoming events. As NASCAR’s playoffs continue, the intense, turbulent journey of Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin serves as a powerful narrative of perseverance and rivalry in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series.
