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Bubba Wallace’s Career at Stake: The Frustrations of Charter Negotiations with 23XI Racing

2 months ago

Bubba Wallace’s Career at Stake: The Frustrations of Charter Negotiations with 23XI Racing

Bubba Wallace voiced his frustration regarding the ongoing charter negotiations with NASCAR after his team, 23XI Racing, opted not to sign a charter agreement.

During a conversation with reporters at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, Wallace highlighted the team’s anticipation for a resolution with NASCAR. He expressed his concerns about the lack of agreement, stating, “It’s disheartening to see where we currently stand, as it directly affects my life, my career, and my future prospects.”

23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA icon Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing and boasts 54 Cup victories, released a statement on their X account to clarify their position regarding the unsigned charter agreement.

“We communicated our concerns to NASCAR in writing before the deadline,” the statement noted. “We are eager to engage in productive discussions with NASCAR to address these matters and find a fair resolution that will also enhance the sport we all cherish.”

The statement concluded by reaffirming the team’s dedication to their role as competitors while emphasizing their desire for equitable treatment.

At 23XI Racing, our dedication to competing at the highest level remains unwavering, and we firmly believe that NASCAR should operate under principles of fairness and equity.

Bubba Wallace is currently experiencing a winless streak that has lasted a year and a half.

All of Bubba Wallace’s two victories in the NASCAR Cup Series have been achieved with 23XI Racing, with his first win at Talladega Superspeedway in October 2021 and his second at Kansas Speedway in September 2022. Since that last victory, he has yet to find his way back to victory lane.

In a recent interview with Frontstretch, Wallace reflected on his struggles to qualify for the playoffs and addressed his ongoing winless streak.

“How many races are we in now, 26?” Bubba Wallace remarked. “So, what’s 26 plus 38? Do the math. Winless. Sh*tty.”

This season, the driver for 23XI Racing has achieved five top-five finishes, with his best results being two fourth-place finishes. The first occurred at the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway, followed by another fourth-place finish at the Cook Out 400 in Richmond. In the final race of the regular season, the Cook Out Southern 500 in Darlington, he finished 16th.

Currently, Wallace sits 18th in the regular season standings after missing the playoffs.

On the other hand, Bubba Wallace’s teammate Tyler Reddick successfully made it to the playoffs and clinched the regular season championship after Kyle Larson. Reddick celebrated two Cup Series victories at the GEICO 500 in Talladega and the Firekeepers Casino 400 in Brooklyn, Michigan.

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