Denny Hamlin has found success behind the wheel this season, boasting three wins and securing fourth place in the driver standings as the playoffs approach. However, his role as co-owner of 23XI Racing presents a more complex picture. While Tyler Reddick remains solid in sixth position, rookie Riley Herbst languishes in 35th, and Bubba Wallace faces mounting difficulties just outside the playoff cutline. With four DNFs in the past eight races, Wallace’s performance has drawn significant scrutiny. Despite this, Hamlin remains relatively unbothered by the increasing pressure on his rookie driver as 23XI confronts a tense playoff push in 2025.
Wallace’s struggles have ignited questions regarding whether his mishaps are the result of simple bad luck, mechanical failures, or more fundamental issues within the team. During a pre-race press conference at the Chicago Street Race, Hamlin addressed these concerns openly, offering a measured perspective on Wallace’s postseason chances.
Evaluating Bubba Wallace’s mixed season at 23XI Racing
Bubba Wallace’s journey in NASCAR has often been marked by intense scrutiny. After an unremarkable three-year period at Richard Petty Motorsports, his transition to 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, initially brought renewed hope and an immediate bounce in performance. Wallace celebrated a playoff victory at Talladega in his first year with 23XI, although he had already missed the playoffs by then. This victory remains a notable highlight of his tenure with the team.
Since that breakthrough, Wallace has managed only one additional win, at Kansas in 2022, again after missing the playoffs. Although he secured a playoff berth on points in 2023, he has yet to claim a regular-season win to guarantee postseason qualification. Despite some statistical improvements in 2024, Wallace’s 2025 campaign has not delivered the expected turnaround, as the string of non-finishes continues to hamper his standings.
Ahead of the Chicago event, media inquiries focused heavily on Wallace’s performance difficulties and what 23XI is doing to halt the slide. Hamlin responded succinctly to one of the key questions on improving results:
“He’s still in the playoffs after all those DNFs.”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner and Driver
Understanding the causes behind Wallace’s DNFs and Hamlin’s outlook
Wallace has endured six DNFs in 2025, accounting for one-third of his race starts this year. Yet, Hamlin finds it remarkable that the driver remains near the playoff bubble despite this adversity. He analyzed the factors contributing to Wallace’s inconsistent finishes:
“If we were struggling for speed on that 23 car, there would be a more heightened sense of alertness… Some of them are circumstances that we control, some mechanicals we’ve controlled, some of them we’ve not. Others, it’s just people making mistakes in front of them, and he’s getting caught up right in the middle of it.”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner and Driver
The 23XI team’s challenges include mechanical failures, such as the brake rotor failure at Pocono that caused a tire blowout and a heavy crash, ending Wallace’s race prematurely. Additionally, several DNFs have resulted from accidents caused by other drivers, as illustrated in the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas, where Wallace was caught in a four-car collision after running inside the top five. Similarly, in Atlanta, he became an unintended victim in a large wreck known as “the Big One,” contributing further to his tally of lost points.
Despite these setbacks, Hamlin remains optimistic about Wallace’s chances, emphasizing his car’s speed and competitive edge near the playoff cutoff:
“If things play out naturally, he is certainly one of the fastest cars that is on that bubble… Him being ahead with all the bad luck that he’s had, I’m not too concerned, truthfully.”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner and Driver
Hamlin’s calm reflects his confidence in the resilience of both Wallace and the 23XI team, even as the regular season approaches its critical final phase.
Mounting pressure at 23XI as playoff cutoff nears
The playoff bubble remains tightly contested, and each lost position or point heightens the tension for both drivers and team owners at 23XI. With Wallace struggling to rebound at the Chicago Street Race, the pressure has intensified to perform on a challenging circuit where track position is crucial and passing opportunities scarce.
In qualifying at Chicago, Wallace spun during his run and posted one of the slowest times, a 1:44.783 lap that placed him 37th on the starting grid. This position on the narrow, technical street course makes it difficult to recover and gain ground during the race. Weather conditions threatening to complicate the event further add to the challenge for Wallace and his team.
Wallace’s difficulty is not new at the Chicago venue. In 2024, his best finish there was 13th, and he has yet to achieve a top-10 result on the circuit. The demanding nature of street courses, with tight corners and limited overtaking zones, rewards drivers who qualify near the front, magnifying the impact of Wallace’s qualifying mistakes.
The stakes have never been higher. With the postseason on the line, Wallace’s performance during the latter stages of the season could determine whether he advances into the playoffs or falls short. His opponents continue to capitalize on any missteps, leaving no room for error for Wallace or the 23XI Racing team.
What lies ahead for Bubba Wallace and 23XI Racing in 2025?
The fate of Bubba Wallace’s 2025 playoff hopes depends on his ability to overcome both the recurring mechanical and situational setbacks that have plagued his season. With the playoff cutoff looming, every race, qualifying session, and moment on track carries outsized significance in a fiercely competitive field.
Denny Hamlin’s dual role as driver and co-owner places him in a unique position to influence the team’s direction. While Hamlin’s own competitive form continues to shine, the performance and recovery of Wallace will be critical for 23XI Racing’s overall success in this pivotal season. As pressure intensifies, both driver and ownership will need to respond effectively if they are to meet the expectations that come with their playoff ambitions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin began racing in the Cup Series full-time in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing. Since then, he’s achieved 51 victories in this series. Hamlin has also won the Daytona 500 three times—in 2016, 2019, and 2020—and has earned a lot of money throughout his career.
Q. Why did Denny Hamlin sue NASCAR?
A. Last year, 23XI and Front Row took legal action against NASCAR after they didn’t agree to new charter renewal deals. They wanted a temporary court order to be considered chartered teams this season. However, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, decided in favor of NASCAR on Thursday.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. He has created a huge fortune of $65 million through his career earnings, endorsements, team ownership, and real estate investments.
His wealth comes from:
✔ Significant earnings from NASCAR race winnings and contracts.
✔ Long-term sponsorships with brands such as FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin, originally from Chesterfield, Virginia, has transformed his racing achievements into a successful business career. His wealth isn’t only from race winnings. Sponsorship agreements, part ownership in 23XI Racing alongside Michael Jordan, and other endorsements significantly contribute to his financial success.