Many discuss their five-year plans, but 23XI Racing just completed theirs in three—and they’re not planning on waiting another five to dominate.

“It was a five-year plan, which we completed last year, and you know, making the final four in 2024, the races that we’ve won, and the playoff appearances, I personally feel like we were ahead of schedule. But now it’s the second five years, right? We’re not sneaking up on anybody anymore,” Lautteta said in an interview with NASCAR Live. 

23XI Racing wasn’t built to flash and fade. When Hamlin and Michael Jordan launched their two-car organization, it wasn’t about instant domination. It was structured and very deliberate with realistic goals. Over its first five seasons, the team not only collected race victories but also began challenging for spots in the playoffs.

In 2025, both Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick punched their tickets in the NASCAR postseason, marking a key milestone and the team’s progression, and proving that Hamlin and Jordan’s long-term plan was starting to pay dividends. This progression accelerated dramatically with back-to-back success in NASCAR’s most prestigious events.

Wallace snapped a 100-race winless streak by taking the prestigious Brickyard 400, a crown jewel race, in a dramatic upset that electrified fans and signaled the team’s arrival among the sport’s top contenders. Fast forward to this year, and Tyler delivered the team’s first-ever Daytona 500 victory, yet another crown jewel, overtaking the field on the final lap in one of NASCAR’s wildest finishes and sending the entire organization into a frenzy.

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Those two marquee wins in consecutive seasons have only solidified their reputation as a powerhouse capable of winning when it matters most. Soon enough, a title for the team will definitely be the next goal, given that Reddick currently leads the standings.

However, the journey hasn’t been smooth either. The team navigated the turbulence off the track, including a high-profile legal fight with NASCAR over charter agreements. Instead of destabilizing them, it only sharpened the teams.

The first five years were about proving they belong; the next five will be about taking control.

Can 23XI Racing keep its fighting spirit up?

23XI Racing heads to EchoPark Speedway with real momentum. After the statement run at the Daytona 500, the team proved it can execute under pressure, and that matters at a drafting-heavy track like this. The reconfigured layout rewards aggression, timing, and teamwork—all areas where the organization has steadily improved.

However, current betting odds show Penske and Hendrick Motorsports drivers as early favorites. The 1.54-mile track is as unpredictable as the Daytona International Speedway. That has made a wildcard in recent seasons, with cars like Chase Elliott’s and Tim Penske’s machines often near the front on paper.

But that does not necessarily knock 23XI Racing out of the picture.

If the team wants a shot at Sunday’s trophy once again, they will need perfect draft timing and clean air at the right moment, the same ingredients that helped them see the victory last Sunday.

This track has its unique demands on the strength of teams with strong historical results, which means a win isn’t assured. A top 10 or a top five finish, though, is also within reach if they stay out of trouble and play the draft intelligently.