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BRISTOL, TN – APRIL 06: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, prepares to drive during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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BRISTOL, TN – APRIL 06: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, prepares to drive during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
It may still be offseason for many NASCAR drivers and teams whilst others participate in dirt and short track racing events. But Denny Hamlin and 23XI Racing have been hard at work prepping for the 2021 campaign that resumes in February.
It will certainly be an eventful season for 23XI Racing, who make their debut in the top stock car racing division. Piloted by Bubba Wallace with Mike Wheeler operating as Crew Chief, fans have great expectations from the team.
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Writing from his Twitter account, Wheeler said, “1st car rolled in the @23XIRacing building yesterday. Starting to feel like a race shop once that happens.”
Denny Hamlin visited the race shop himself to check on the progress
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is now part team owner alongside NBA superstar Michael Jordan. 23XI Racing’s Instagram handle also put up some pictures as part of a post showing Hamlin’s presence at the race shop.
The team has recently also acquired 5 new partners to sponsor the No.23 car. The likes of McDonald’s, Dr. Pepper, and Columbia Sportswear will be seen on the livery of the vehicle in the upcoming season.
1st car rolled in the @23XIRacing building yesterday. Starting to feel like a race shop once that happens. https://t.co/VKkxLKGYyT
— Michael Wheeler (@MikeCWheeler) January 7, 2021
Hamlin’s duties will now be split between driving full time for JGR and co-managing the 23XI Racing team. Sure enough then, the multiple Cup Race winner would have a few tips for Wallace ahead of the Daytona 500, slated to take place in roughly more than a month’s time.
Bubba Wallace had earlier stated in an interview, “I wish Daytona was tomorrow. We’re heading in the right direction and we’ll be ready when we get to Daytona.”
Wallace had talked about his objectives and intentions with the team
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me, and there’s no more excuses. We want to go out and win, and I know we’ll have everything we need each week to make that happen,” Wallace had concluded on the topic.
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FORT WORTH, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 02: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 Covert Auto Group Chevrolet, walks on the grid during the Salute to Veterans Qualifying Day Fueled by The Texas Lottery for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The former Richard Petty Motorsports driver had a decent season considering the resources at his disposal. He helped the team to a solitary Top-5 finish and 4 Top-10 finishes and ranked 22nd in the final standings.
Thus, it is a season of hope and expectations for both driver and team. It is most certainly going to be interesting to see how everyone involved with 23XI Racing embraces this challenge going forward.
READ MORE- Bubba Wallace Reveals a Stunning New Helmet for His Ride with 23XI Racing in 2021 NASCAR Season
