Whereas 23XI Racing has been very quick all 12 months, it has been a season of ‘what ifs’ for Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 Toyota.
The group has seven victories (a file for 23XI) this 12 months with 5 from Tyler Reddick and two from Corey Heim. In distinction, Wallace — who was the one 23XI driver to go to Victory Lane throughout the 2025 season, continues to be winless in 2026.
Wallace was as excessive as second within the standings after six of 26 common season races, however has since slipped right down to 14th by the point of the Chase reset.
The 2026 season has featured heartbreaking losses, irritating penalties, and simply unhealthy luck for the No. 23 workforce. This has made for a really hot-and-cold 12 months, with Wallace at one level recording finishes of thirty second, third, twenty first, 2nd, twenty second, sixth, twenty ninth, and sixth via the summer season.
Overcoming setbacks and avoiding mulligans
Bubba Wallace spins, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Picture by: Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
Wallace spoke on the up-and-down 12 months throughout ‘The Chase’ Media Day on Wednesday, saying: “For me, a part of it has been the identical previous shit, totally different day type of mentality, however with the ability to handle it a bit bit higher has made it much less of a roller-coaster journey as you point out. Nonetheless the frustrations of getting quick automobiles with crap outcomes – that’s nonetheless there. Falling tremendously within the factors, getting again on the reduce line.
“All of that stuff type of hit the replay button, however type of the way you went via it has modified. I believe this 12 months, the place we’re at – 14th seed – it was like we’re adequate to be top-seven, so the stress of, am I going to be in or am I not, no we’re adequate. If we exit and execute, and end second like we did in Loudon, all of that stuff – if we do our issues proper, it ought to occur.”
Wallace believes the No. 23 group is a prime seven workforce regardless of getting into The Chase because the No. 14 seed, and he thinks they nonetheless have the tempo to make lots of noise within the ultimate ten weeks of the 12 months.
“I believe we’re in a reasonably great spot,” stated Wallace. “Our #23 group is hungry for extra, none of us are glad with being the 14th seed going into the Chase. Now we have lots of work to do, however with which means lots of pleasure.”
The strain of ‘The Chase’
Bubba Wallace at ‘The Chase’ Media Day, 23XI Racing
Picture by: David Jensen / Getty Photos
Wallace has been within the playoffs twice earlier than, however he hasn’t raced below a format like The Chase since 2015 when he was racing within the decrease divisions. However whatever the format, the strain stays the identical. He additionally believes the important thing to succeeding shall be ‘base hits’ as a substitute of regularly making an attempt to swing for the fence.
“If you end up within the Chase, it’s like alright, that circulation of nerves type of settles in, whether or not it’s a lot or a bit, it settles in,” stated Wallace. “You’ll be able to’t ignore the truth that the nerves are there. Then yeah, it’s time to go. You’ve labored onerous all season lengthy to place your self on this place. Some are in higher positions than others.
“For me, it’s thrilling for us on the #23 workforce. Actually wanting ahead to Darlington and the following 10 weeks, however actually making an attempt to not get too far out forward of ourselves. One step at a time. Base hits. Our Toyotas are silly quick. We’ve acknowledged that many months in the past, and so to simply proceed to construct on that and simply have enjoyable and benefit from the second. I believe that’s one other side that we regularly overlook is to benefit from the second. It’s at all times enterprise as standard and tremendous intense, however you must have that strain launch valve type of proper there in your hip pocket to maintain the feelings in test.”
On getting again to the early-season type that put Wallace close to the highest of the standings, he stated you simply must “get again on the horse and proceed to journey, actually. Our automobiles have solely gotten quicker for the reason that starting of the season. We simply haven’t achieved a superb job on capitalizing on that. I believe for us, it’s get to Darlington, a monitor we now have all grown to like and be tremendous profitable at, and recognize that side.”
Watch: Wallace explains late lockup, runner-up end: ‘Needed to battle all day’
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