Denny Hamlin pumps brakes on 23XI Racing after – Sports News
23XI Racing was co-founded in 2020 (Image: Getty)
Two races into the 2026 season, 23XI Racing has already rewritten its early narrative. Back-to-back wins by Tyler Reddick — first at Daytona, then within the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway — left co-owner Michael Jordan in disbelief.
“Holy mackerel!” Jordan mentioned after Sunday’s victory, earlier than discovering Bubba Wallace to ship a two-word message. “I don’t even know what to say. I can’t say the thing [I want to say]. Tyler did an unbelievable job. The whole team did an unbelievable job.”
The surge has prompted larger questions on the place 23XI stands within the NASCAR Cup Series hierarchy. With Bubba Wallace profitable the Brickyard 400 final yr and Reddick now claiming back-to-back wins to open 2026, some have puzzled whether or not the group belongs alongside the normal powerhouses.
Denny Hamlin isn’t able to go there simply but. “It’s too early for that,” Hamlin mentioned. “I mean, we’re many wins and championships away from that. There’s no question that we’re building fast cars and cars that are capable of winning week in, week out. We don’t always hit the setup or things like that, but we’re working hard.”
Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing, emphasised how rapidly the staff has grown since its launch.
Jordan was ecstatic after the win in Atlanta (Image: Getty)
“This team being nonexistent six years ago is just amazing that we’re able to do what we did with building this thing from scratch and now having the results week in, week out that is contending with the big guys,” Hamlin mentioned.
Sunday’s win marked the group’s eleventh general. When requested whether or not that complete represents an inflection level, Hamlin again took a measured view.
“Well, it’s just a great opportunity for them to — I talked about it last week — race free and be able, you know, for Tyler to get the win kind of early at Daytona,” Hamlin mentioned. “It’s like he had that winless season last year. It’s like, okay, now you can just kind of race free.”
“I saw it after we were both in that wreck that I was in. He comes out. His car is damaged, and he just starts shooting the middle again like his car is fine,” Hamlin mentioned. “It’s, like, well, that’s a guy that feels like he’s got nothing to lose right there.”
Beyond Reddick’s resurgence, Wallace’s sturdy begin has additionally positioned the staff properly. Wallace sits second within the standings after two races, offering what Hamlin known as an important early-season increase.
“Not only that, but with Bubba being two in the standings, this gets him off on the right foot for the season,” Hamlin mentioned. “I can assure you that all drivers are looking at the standings week in, week out now. There is no, well, I’ll check it ten weeks from now, five weeks from now. Everyone is looking.”
“It matters, and it certainly will be a good mental check for them knowing that they’ve got this year started off on the right foot,” he added. “Hopefully that allows them both to race freely and know that they’ve got a few good finishes to start the year.”
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