Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing Achieves Historic Front-Row Sweep at COTA

23XI Racing has made significant strides by achieving a front-row sweep at the Circuit of the Americas. Tyler Reddick captured pole position with an impressive lap, while teammate Bubba Wallace secured second place. Both drivers demonstrated strategic cooperation, showcasing the team’s growth since its founding by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.

23XI Racing, co-owned by basketball icon Michael Jordan and NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin, has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a front-row sweep during the qualifying session at the Circuit of the Americas. Tyler Reddick captured pole position with an impressive lap time of 1 minute, 38.076 seconds, averaging a speed of 88.095 mph. This feat marks Reddick’s 10th pole in the NASCAR Cup Series and his second at COTA, where he previously celebrated victory in 2023.

Reddick’s teammate, Bubba Wallace, secured second place, closely trailing Reddick by only 0.224 seconds. Both drivers employed a strategic approach to their qualifying runs, leading one another around the 17-turn track while expressing concerns about potentially disrupting each other’s laps. “I was worried I screwed his lap up, but he was worried that he screwed my lap up,” Reddick remarked.

Significant efforts during practice considerably improved the performance of Reddick’s No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota. “The pace was nowhere what we thought it was going to be…we made massive improvements I think from practice one to practice two,” Reddick stated. He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of qualifying but expressed satisfaction with their results and the advantageous track position for the race ahead.

Wallace highlighted the importance of Reddick’s experience during qualifying, stating, “when we come to the road course races, I think everybody in the Toyota camp really leans on Tyler [Reddick].” Their collaborative efforts exemplify the strength of teamwork within the team.

Chase Elliott finished third, followed by Carson Hocevar, Daniel Suarez, Shane van Gisbergen, Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, and Todd Gilliland rounding out the top ten. Notably, 18-year-old Connor Zilisch will debut in the NASCAR Cup Series, starting from 14th position in the No. 87 Red Bull-sponsored Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet.

Since its establishment in 2020, 23XI Racing has evolved significantly, expanding from a single car with Bubba Wallace to a two-car operation over the years. Tyler Reddick’s addition in 2023 further exemplifies the team’s upward trajectory and ambition in the NASCAR landscape.

In summary, 23XI Racing has made history by achieving a front-row sweep at COTA, showcasing the talents of Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace. Reddick’s impressive performance secured pole position, reflecting the team’s strategic preparation and collaboration. This accomplishment underscores the rapid growth of 23XI Racing since its inception. The upcoming race will certainly be one to watch as they leverage their advantageous starting positions.

Original Source: www.newsweek.com