USA Today via Reuters
Apr 24, 2022; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) pits for service during the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 24, 2022; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) pits for service during the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
At the Nashville Superspeedway, Bubba Wallace was a very angry figure. This was because he became the latest victim of the loose wheel curse that has plagued the paddock this season. It got to a point where he petulantly gave his team the silent treatment and ignored them for a while.
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In light of this, his spotter, Freddie Kraft, spoke about what 23XI Racing is doing in the aftermath of the incident.
He said, “I’m sure they’re working behind the scenes to get the best available guys in the best positions for us. It is what it is, but we’re probably on our seventh or eighth tyre falling off or loose wheel of the season.”
“Obviously JGR [will get a better pit crew], if I had to guess, we’re the sixth Toyota team.”
“We probably have the sixth pit crew. There’s nothing bad, it’s just inexperienced guys. It’s not talent, it’s experience. The guys I would assume on our team are less experienced than some of the guys on the four JGR cars and it shows. Loose wheels are not new, but the penalty for a loose wheel is much more substantial than it has been in the past.”
Can Bubba Wallace and 23XI Racing turn things around?
Theoretically speaking, the 23XI Racing car is capable of winning races, as is Bubba Wallace himself. Kurt Busch proved it earlier this year, and Wallace did it last year at the Talladega Superspeedway. With nine races remaining, the #23 driver has plenty of time to rack up a win and reach the Playoffs.
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 27: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 leidos Toyota, waves to fans onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Echopark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 27, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Undoubtedly, he will be eager to try and join teammate Kurt Busch. It would also be a real testament to the progress that 23XI Racing is making. Out of the newer teams, they are sort of losing the battle to Trackhouse Racing, who established themselves as dark horses.
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While it would be a stretch to consider 23XI Racing a title threat, nothing is stopping them from improving their championship position.
