WATCH: “It was inevitable. Having no brakes or no talent”- 23XI’s Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace crashes out due to brake rotor failure, fans react

Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick were close to yet another back-to-back top-10 finish.

Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace crashes at Gateway

The Gateway NASCAR Cup Series event, the Enjoy Illinois 300, was a mechanical nightmare for Toyota team 2Xi Racing. Both drivers suffered a brake failure and failed to finish the race. Tyler Reddick was the first to retire from the race, while Bubba Wallace was able to survive towards the end, only to endure a similar fate.

The No:45 Toyota Camry slammed into the wall on lap 174 of the 300-lap race. He rebounded from a second lap spin and was running in the Top 10 when his break rooter exploded and sent him to the wall. Tyler Reddick‘s car was damaged beyond repair and ended a streak of impressive Top 10 results he has been able to amass in the last couple of months. He was awarded a P34 finish.

His teammate Bubba Wallace fell victim to the issue that also took out Carson Hocevar and Noah Gragson before him. The No:23 driver slammed into the wall on lap 235 and damaged his car, enduring a DNF. He was awarded a p30 finish, a disappointing result considering he has been a regular Top 5 contender for the last couple of months.

Wallace was running p11 before the incident, and considering the form and momentum of the 23XI drivers, they missed out on yet another back-to-back podium finish. It’s more disappointing for Wallace, who is yet to secure a race win for the playoff spot this season. He got 11 races left to do so this year.

A violent brake-rotor explosion for Tyler Reddick. He's done for the day. pic.twitter.com/JT81Mu5w0i
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 4, 2023

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Here is how NASCAR fans reacted to the 23XI nightmare

Bubba Wallace (2) — Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick at North Wilkesboro (Credits: @23xiracing)

Fans had a mixed reaction to the driver’s days ending in dismay. Many were quick to console both, saying if not for the car, a deserved top-10 finish would have been there. Some fans used the opportunity to troll the drivers and the team for messing up the race.

https://twitter.com/butchpatrick1/status/1665539356260462592

https://twitter.com/jokool_aid/status/1665508221514141698

https://twitter.com/butchpatrick1/status/1665539356260462592

Way to falsely accuse Austin Dillon of running over another teams crew member.
— Scott Hiers (@ScottHiers76) June 5, 2023

@SpotterBrett you gotta admit that it was a rough broadcast for your boy today! None of these guys turned their wheel to the right the car pulled them to the right because of the brake issues! Ready for some real analysis from @NBCSports
— Jonathan Chavez (@chavee83) June 5, 2023

The awareness of him to stay next to the wall instead of diving down spared him from a hard lick.
— Ramsfan1982  (@Ramsfan1982) June 5, 2023

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Tags: Bubba Wallace Tyler Reddick

#About the Author

Justin P Joy

(5133 Articles Published)

Justin P Joy is a Motorsports writer and editor at FirstSportz. He has been a motorsport journalist since 2020 and has published over 4500 articles. Justin has extensively covered two NASCAR, Formula One, and Moto GP seasons for FirstSportz. He has invested more than a decade of his life on Motorsports, first as a fan and later as a dedicated writer. Justin’s in-depth knowledge of Motorsports and his experience as a fan make his writing resonate with most racing fans worldwide. Justin's love for racing started when he discovered Moto GP at the age of 8. That love later guided him into the world of Formula 1. He fell in love with NASCAR after watching Tom Cruise’s “Days of Thunder” and has been an avid follower of the premier stock car racing series since. He has also been investing his time to exploring WEC, WRC, Formula E, Extreme E, and IndyCar in a bid to deeply understand the culture and history of Motorsports to present a unique perspective to the fans.

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WATCH: “It was inevitable. Having no brakes or no talent”- 23XI’s Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace crashes out due to brake rotor failure, fans react

Here is how NASCAR fans reacted to the 23XI nightmare

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