Denny Hamlin Predicts “Deep Playoff Run” From Bubba Wallace in 2026 Despite Winless Streak

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season so far has been a mixed bag for Bubba Wallace and as he remains winless while his teammate Tyler Reddick has won five of the 154 races. He has failed to capitalize on the pace advantage of his 23XI Racing Camry, and often getting involved in unlucky wreck hasn’t also helped.

Team owner Denny Hamlin on an interview shared his thoughts on the TRD drivers’ performance and declared the racer is performing on the level he is expected to be regarding pace. He has pace, but lacks result and believes it’s matter time before the team redeem themselves with a streak of better overall performance that would yield them a deep playoff run (chase).

I think he’s right on pace from where we expect him to be. I think that again, he’s had some tough breaks early on, but the speed is there. That’s what I really look at is like, where’s your pace? Where’s your average running position? All those things really, really matter to overall performance. So, I think that he’s where he needs to be to make a deep playoff run, and that’s all we can ask.

Denny Hamlin said about Bubba Wallace.

In the same conversation, Denny Hamlin talked about the new championship format, that brought back the original chase system and highlighted how they so far have kept the best drivers in the leading spots on the table. He highlighted how he has been the second-best driver of 2026 behind Tyler Reddick and seem to expect Bubba Wallace to join them among the front-runners soon.

I think that they hit a home run with it, and it’s not fluff, and everyone knows that I’m not afraid to be critical of decisions that are made in rule changes, but I think that it’s rewarding the best. Tyler Reddick’s been the best. I feel like we’ve been the next best. And if you look at the standings, it’s in order of where it should be.

Denny Hamlin added via On3.com.

Bubba Wallace has secured future at 23XI Racing but not his teammate

One key discussion about the 2026 season and Wallace has been his future at Michael Jordan’s team. He is in his option year and hasn’t signed an extension, unlike his teammate Tyler Reddick who has secured a multi-million long-term deal.

As per the reports from Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, the 2025 Brickyard champion is expected to extend the deal for at least 2027. But the third 23XI driver Riley Herbst has found himself in a tough spot as he doesn’t have a spot secured for next year owing to poor form and the fact that Corey Heim is knocking the door louder than ever.

Tyler Reddick just signed a contract extension. Bubba Wallace is in an option year and we should expect him back. Riley Herbst? That’s the big question for the driver who’s 29th in the standings. With Corey Heim ready (and having been ready) for Cup, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Heim races full time. Sponsorship is the key.

Bob Pockrass reported via Fox Sports.

23XI needs to make a tough call about Herbst next season and if they can find the right sponsors, it would be wise to give Heim the opportunity as he has been waiting on the side lines for a long-time. If they refuse to promote him, they are multiple ither teams in the garage that would pounce on the opportunity to sign a serial winner like him.

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