Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, achieved a historic milestone by securing both front-row spots in the NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Tyler Reddick clinched pole position with a blistering lap of 1 minute, 38.076 seconds, averaging 88.095 mph, while Bubba Wallace followed closely, securing second place by just 0.224 seconds.
Reddick’s Dominance on Road Courses
Reddick’s road course expertise continues to shine, having previously won at COTA in 2023. This latest pole marks the 10th of his Cup Series career and his second at COTA. Despite initial concerns about their laps interfering with each other, both Reddick and Wallace executed a near-perfect qualifying session.
“I was worried I screwed his lap up, but he was worried that he screwed my lap up,” Reddick admitted post-qualifying. The No. 45 Toyota Camry underwent significant adjustments between practice sessions, leading to a major performance boost.
Wallace’s Growth with Reddick’s Guidance
Bubba Wallace, driving the No. 23 Toyota, credited Reddick’s experience for helping him improve on road courses.
“When we come to the road course races, I think everybody in the Toyota camp really leans on Tyler. He does a great job of giving us the right information to chase,” Wallace said.
The Starting Grid & Rising Stars
Behind the 23XI duo, Chase Elliott secured third place, followed by Carson Hocevar, Daniel Suárez, Shane van Gisbergen, Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, and Todd Gilliland in the top ten. Notably, 18-year-old Connor Zilisch will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut from 14th place, driving the No. 87 Red Bull-sponsored Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet.
The Rise of 23XI Racing
Founded in 2020 by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, 23XI Racing started with Bubba Wallace as its sole driver in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series. The team expanded to a two-car operation in 2022, and with Tyler Reddick replacing Kurt Busch in 2023, the team has only continued to grow.
This front-row sweep at COTA marks a defining moment in 23XI Racing’s rapid ascent in NASCAR, proving that the team is now a major force in the sport.
Analysis: What This Means for 23XI Racing
1. Performance Breakthrough: This qualifying session showcases the team’s development, particularly on road courses, an area where they’ve been working to improve.
2. Strong Team Chemistry: The cooperation between Reddick and Wallace highlights a team-first mentality, crucial for long-term success.
3. Jordan’s Investment Paying Off: Since its inception, 23XI Racing has made strategic moves, from hiring top-tier drivers to improving their Toyota performance package.
4. Championship Potential: With Reddick’s road course dominance and Wallace’s steady improvement, 23XI Racing could be a legitimate contender for the NASCAR Cup Series title in the near future.
This result at COTA is not just a milestone—it’s a statement. 23XI Racing is here to compete with NASCAR’s elite.
