Hamlin Sheds Light on Bubba Wallace's Puzzling Performance

Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, has opened up about the "head-scratching" performance issues plaguing Bubba Wallace and his No. 23 car. In a candid interview on the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin shared his insights on Wallace's recent top-10 finish at the Pocono Cup Series race, shedding light on the team's ongoing challenges and the path forward.

Uncovering the Pace Puzzle: Hamlin's Perspective on Wallace's Struggles

Lacking Pace, but Executing Well

Hamlin acknowledged that while Wallace's P10 finish was a positive points day for the team, they are still grappling with a lack of pace in the car. "I don't know where that pace is. It's head-scratching a little bit they just don't have the pace. It seems like the other (Joe Gibbs Racing) or the 23XI Toyota's have," Hamlin said. However, he praised the team's execution, noting that "they're finishing to their best ability on race day. That's really really good."

The Importance of Pace and Stage Points

Hamlin emphasized the significance of pace in the sport, explaining that it's crucial for earning stage points and qualifying well. "The reason you need pace is you need stage points. You need to qualify well, you need stage points and then you need to finish in the top 10," he said. While Wallace has managed to secure top-10 finishes, Hamlin acknowledged that the lack of pace has been a hindrance in the team's overall performance.

Keeping Themselves in the Game

Despite the pace challenges, Hamlin commended Wallace and the team for "keeping themselves in the game" and staying within striking distance of the playoff spots. He noted that if Wallace had been 53 points behind Ross Chastain with five races to go, it would have been a significant deficit to overcome. "They're at least keeping themselves in the game when they do figure that out," Hamlin said, expressing optimism that the team can address the speed issues and capitalize on their strong execution.

The Path Forward: Debrief and Improvement

Wallace's own post-race comments echoed Hamlin's assessment, with the driver acknowledging the team's lack of pace and the need for a thorough debrief to address the issues. "It's pretty eye-opening of how far we're off. Going to have a good debrief tomorrow," Wallace said. Hamlin's perspective suggests that the team is committed to understanding the root causes of the pace problem and working diligently to find solutions that will propel them forward in the remaining regular season races.

The Playoff Implications: Chasing the Final Spot

Wallace's top-10 finish at Pocono was significant, as it has narrowed the gap to Chastain for the final playoff spot. Hamlin noted that if Wallace can win one of the upcoming regular season races, he would automatically clinch a spot in the postseason. This added incentive, coupled with the team's determination to address the pace issues, could be the catalyst for a strong push towards the playoffs.In conclusion, Denny Hamlin's candid insights have shed light on the complex challenges facing Bubba Wallace and the 23XI Racing team. While the execution has been solid, the lack of pace remains a puzzling issue that the team is committed to resolving. As the regular season winds down, the focus will be on finding the missing speed and capitalizing on every opportunity to secure a playoff berth.