A small push can make all the difference, and Bubba Wallace is ready to provide that push, not for himself, but for his teammate, Tyler Reddick. Currently sitting in 3rd place in the points standings, Reddick is eyeing the 2024 Cup Series championship. Meanwhile, Wallace is recovering from the disappointment of missing the playoffs after a close call at Darlington. Despite his own setbacks, Wallace is eager to support Reddick.
The first playoff segment will take place at Atlanta Motor Speedway, which was reconfigured in 2022 to resemble an intermediate track—a type of track where Wallace has historically performed well. Even though Wallace is not in the playoffs, he is ready to share his expertise with Reddick to help him succeed.
Since its inception in 2020, 23XI Racing has been defined by its strong sense of unity, a principle instilled by co-owners Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan. The team’s success is built on the cooperation between the No. 23 and No. 45 teams as they strive for victories. Despite missing the playoffs after Chase Briscoe’s win at Darlington, Wallace is committed to upholding these values. His frustration is evident given his impressive season, which includes a career-best 10 top-ten finishes and 5 top-five finishes. Yet, Wallace remains focused on aiding Reddick.
Winning the regular-season championship is a significant achievement, and Wallace has praised Reddick for his performance. In a recent press conference, Wallace highlighted Reddick’s role in the team’s success, stating, “Winning a regular-season championship in just four years is a big deal. From day one, I knew Tyler would be fast and competitive, and he’s proven it.”
Wallace has also expressed his willingness to shoulder the burden of helping his teammate, saying, “It’s exciting to tackle the challenges of a race weekend, knowing the car is capable of winning.”
Despite his personal disappointment, Wallace has expressed gratitude for the 23XI Racing team’s efforts. He acknowledged the hard work of the entire team, saying, “It’s tough to be on the outside looking in, but I’m genuinely happy for the team. It’s great to see how everyone has come together to build fast race cars. Whether it’s the No. 23 or No. 45, you can count on us showing up strong at every track.”
However, not all views on the team’s performance are positive. Some criticism highlights the team’s shortcomings. Wallace is in his fourth year in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, yet he has only secured two wins and one playoff appearance. In contrast, Reddick has made significant strides, including his recent 7th career victory at Michigan. Wallace missed a key opportunity at Darlington despite securing the pole position and gaining stage points.
Journalist Jordan Bianchi has pointed out that the No. 23 team struggled with speed at crucial moments. Bianchi noted, “The team’s speed diminished at important times, and they often fail to maintain their pace. This has led to them getting caught up in accidents and other mishaps. They need to improve their ability to stay on top of these issues and avoid finding themselves in problematic positions.”
Despite the criticisms and challenges faced by his own team, Bubba Wallace remains optimistic about the No. 45 team’s success. It will be interesting to see how both Wallace and Reddick perform in the upcoming Atlanta race.
Frustrated Bubba Wallace Ready to Push Tyler Reddick Beyond the Finish Line Despite His Own Woes
