Denny Hamlin addressed the media following another record-breaking race, highlighting 23XI Racing’s unprecedented achievement after Tyler Reddick clinched his third consecutive win at the start of the NASCAR season. The Denny Hamlin press conference underscored the team’s momentum as they continue to make headlines in the racing world with Reddick’s impressive performances across different tracks.
Historic Start for 23XI Racing Team
The atmosphere was charged as the moderator introduced Denny Hamlin, the proud owner of 23XI Racing, congratulating him on another victorious weekend and the significant milestone achieved by Tyler Reddick and the 45 team. Hamlin took a moment to reflect on the significance of the accomplishment, recognizing the rarity of such a winning streak at the season’s kickoff.
Hamlin shared his amazement at what the team had accomplished, pointing out that winning three races back-to-back at different tracks—Daytona, Atlanta, and now the current venue—is truly extraordinary. He emphasized the varied nature of these tracks, noting that Atlanta and Daytona require distinct driving techniques, making the feat all the more noteworth.
“Yeah, it’s unbelievable. I’m not going to see it again in my lifetime, someone to go out there and win three races in a row to start the season. Yeah, what a dream start for those guys. All kinds of — got Atlanta and Daytona and here. It’s just different tracks. It’s not necessarily one type.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
Adapting to Challenges Across Diverse Tracks
Hamlin elaborated on what sets this winning streak apart: the ability to triumph at varied venues, which demonstrate the team’s adaptability and skill. The diversity in tracks—from the superspeedways like Daytona to intermediates such as Atlanta—means that success comes not from mastering a single format, but from excelling at numerous styles of racing.
He continued by forecasting that the next significant test would come in Phoenix, a track where Tyler Reddick has historically faced challenges. Hamlin indicated that Phoenix would serve as a stronger indicator of the team’s sustained momentum and Reddick’s overall progression this season.
“The big test is going to be next week when it goes to a track that he hasn’t had a ton of success at in Phoenix, and that’s where we’re going to know whether this team has got — how big that momentum is is when they go out there to Phoenix and see what they’ve got.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
Composure and Discipline: Keys to Reddick’s Success
Reflecting on Reddick’s conduct from qualifying through final laps, Hamlin cited discipline as an essential trait for champions. He praised Reddick’s composure under pressure during aggressive restarts, attributing the consistency to his ability to avoid mistakes. According to Hamlin, such poise is exactly what distinguishes great drivers, demonstrating championship potential even in the season’s early stages.
“Just so poised from qualifying day. You can’t get poles at this type of racetrack unless you just are really disciplined. When I’m looking from where I restarted there and he’s under attack those first few laps the restart, he just stayed absolutely disciplined and didn’t make any mistakes. That’s what champions are made of, and he’s well on his way.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
Defying the Odds: The Randomness of NASCAR Events
With three straight wins coming from events with unpredictable outcomes, Hamlin underscored how rare it is for any team to string together victories in such conditions. The unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing means anyone can be caught in incidents or miss opportunities due to luck, not just talent.
Hamlin expressed confidence that it’s unlikely he will witness such a feat again in his lifetime, especially given the nature of races like those at Daytona and Atlanta. He acknowledged the improbability of consistently beating the odds across back-to-back weekends.
“Yeah, that’s why I’m confident in it not happening again of my lifetime, because of the randomness factor of those races. Defying odds, that’s for sure. I don’t know if you parlayed all your winnings from the first week, second week, third week what you’d have. I’m sure someone has figured that out, but it would be a big number.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick: Emergence of a Superstar
Hamlin was asked about Reddick’s growth from his beginnings in the Truck Series to now potentially becoming a superstar in NASCAR. Hamlin did not hesitate to credit Reddick’s evolution as a complete racer, albeit noting that short tracks remain an area for further improvement. Over time, Hamlin observed that the 23XI Racing team has helped eliminate any lingering weaknesses, and now Reddick executes strategies with precision and incorporates every piece of information provided.
“He’s complete. The one area that we continue to work on with him is on the short tracks. I think that’s where he can still improve a little bit. But we’re working pretty hard on improving him at those types of tracks.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
“He’s got a lot of really good things going on. I think it’s just — we’re steadily seeing him continue to get better. What I love to see is the work that he puts in and the things that we provide him for information. He’s soaking it all in and he’s using it and executing it.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
“What I’ve seen out of him over the last few years is just where he had some weaknesses, our team has helped him shore those up. It’s amazing to see how well he’s doing.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
Strategic Driving on Road Courses and Maintaining the Lead
Insights from Shane van Gisbergen and others in the paddock observed that Reddick maintained a reserve during the final laps, managing his pace while leading. Hamlin confirmed that being in front on a road course means running at a controllable tempo, defending position rather than risking unnecessary wear or mistakes.
He stressed that knowing “when to go,” rather than exerting maximum energy at all times, plays a critical role in success. This strategic approach is what Hamlin described as balancing strong defense with just enough offense to keep competitors at bay.
“Yeah, well, when you’ve got the lead, especially on a road course, it’s very easy to pace the field and run the pace that you feel comfortable with making sure no one is going to pass you but also keeping the competition close enough to where it actually burns their car up. That’s just really the discipline that I talked about, is knowing that he doesn’t have to go 100 percent to get the job done. You just do enough to win. Sometimes the best offense is a good defense, and when you keep the competition right there at bay, you’re using a really good defense.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
Personal Triumphs and 23XI’s Team-Building Philosophy
Hamlin, celebrating his own top ten finish despite a sore shoulder, remarked on achieving his first mistake-free road course in years as a significant milestone for himself, likening it to a personal victory. This personal moment paralleled his satisfaction in leading 23XI Racing to success through dedication and persistent improvement, both personally and organizationally.
“Good. I feel good. It’ll definitely be sore tomorrow. But first mistake-free road course for me in six years. It’s freaking amazing. It’s like a win. I’m telling you, this is a win.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
When reflecting on 23XI being the first team in over six decades to open the season with three consecutive wins, Hamlin described the feeling as deeply gratifying. He acknowledged Michael Jordan’s appreciation for these results, highlighting the joy brought to the team’s co-owner through these achievements.
“Just so gratifying. Obviously when I see Michael afterwards and he’s very appreciative of — he knows the work that I’m doing there to make all this happen, again, it’s very gratifying to see the joy that we’re bringing him at this stage of his life.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
According to Hamlin, his resurgence in 2019 reignited his hunger for progress, both in his driving and in his team leadership. He contrasted his influence as a driver with his role as a team builder, stating that while he cannot dictate every effort made by others, providing the correct direction enables collective success.
“It’s just satisfying. It’s the reason that in 2019 I had that resurgence in my career, went to work on some things, and then I started seeing some results from it, and then it just fed my desire to go get more, go do more. Same thing with the race team. It’s just different because I don’t control how much other people work. All I can do is show them the path that I think is correct, and they’re taking the ball and just slam dunking it right now.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
The Michael Jordan-Denny Hamlin Dynamic and Building from the Ground Up
The press conference also delved into Hamlin’s partnership with Michael Jordan, who, after the race, credited Hamlin with assembling the talent and crafting the team’s competitive approach. Hamlin described their alliance as an ideal partnership, giving him the autonomy to run the racing operations and truly shape the 23XI vision.
Hamlin recalled his early efforts to join a racing organization as an owner, insisting his main criterion was control over decision-making and a willingness to be accountable for the outcome. When he partnered with Michael Jordan, that level of trust and autonomy became a reality, allowing Hamlin to build the team from the ground up.
“It’s just a perfect partnership. I don’t even know how to explain it. This doesn’t work unless he gives me autonomy to do it.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
Describing the early days of 23XI Racing, Hamlin noted the humble beginnings: three employees working from Mike Wheeler’s garage, no acquired team, and nothing to build on except vision and determination. Now, with a history-making start to the season, he reflected on the fulfillment that comes from creating something remarkable from scratch.
“Again, this team had, like, three employees working out of Mike Wheeler’s garage. There was nothing. We had zero. We didn’t buy a team, didn’t do anything. Just built it. This is what we’re doing. It’s pretty amazing.”
— Denny Hamlin, Owner, 23XI Racing
Significance and What’s Next for 23XI Racing
With the season just underway, 23XI Racing and Tyler Reddick have sent a powerful message to the NASCAR community by breaking a six-decade-old record. Their victories signal a shift in team dynamics, built on a foundation of innovation, discipline, and the unique partnership between Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan. The focus now turns to Phoenix, where the team’s momentum will face a significant challenge on a track Reddick has yet to conquer. As Hamlin put it, all eyes remain on whether this remarkable streak can extend further, with the Denny Hamlin press conference serving as a testament to the passion, strategic thinking, and resilience powering 23XI’s rise.
