23XI Racing Seeks Short Track Breakthrough

Denny Hamlin's NASCAR team has found success on superspeedways and road courses, but is still searching for a win at the series' short tracks.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:10am

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Denny Hamlin's 23XI Racing team has enjoyed a strong start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, winning four of the first six races with driver Tyler Reddick. However, Hamlin acknowledges that the team's one weakness so far has been on short tracks, where Reddick has struggled to find success. This weekend's race at Martinsville Speedway will be a key test for 23XI as they look to conquer the series' tighter, more technical circuits.

Why it matters

23XI Racing is quickly emerging as a NASCAR powerhouse, but their lack of short track success has been a glaring hole in their performance so far. Winning at places like Martinsville, Bristol, and Richmond will be crucial if the team wants to contend for the championship this season.

The details

Through six races, 23XI driver Tyler Reddick has won at a superspeedway, a road course, and the challenging Darlington Raceway. However, the 30-year-old has struggled mightily on short tracks, with only two top-10 finishes in 12 career starts at Bristol, Richmond, and Martinsville. Reddick has finished outside the top 15 eight times at Martinsville, including a 35th-place result in 2022 after crashing and hitting his head on the cockpit padding. Team co-owner Denny Hamlin believes that mastering the short tracks is the final piece of the puzzle for 23XI to become a true championship-caliber organization.

  • The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is currently 6 races old.
  • Tyler Reddick has won 4 of the first 6 races, already surpassing 23XI's previous single-season victory total.
  • This Sunday's race at Martinsville Speedway will be the first of three short track events on the 2026 schedule.

The players

Denny Hamlin

The co-owner of 23XI Racing and a veteran NASCAR driver who has helped assemble the team's personnel and resources.

Tyler Reddick

The 30-year-old driver who has won 4 of the first 6 races for 23XI Racing in 2026, but has struggled on short tracks throughout his career.

23XI Racing

The NASCAR team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan, which is quickly emerging as a championship contender in the Cup Series.

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What they’re saying

“The short tracks (are) the only place where 23XI as a whole could get a little bit better. I know they're all working on that, but I don't know. We just don't have any weaknesses right now.”

— Denny Hamlin, Co-Owner, 23XI Racing

“If I can win there, oh my gosh, the world is going to end.”

— Tyler Reddick, Driver, No. 45 Toyota

What’s next

This weekend's race at Martinsville Speedway will be a crucial test for 23XI Racing and Tyler Reddick as they look to conquer the team's short track weakness. A strong performance and potential win at the 0.526-mile oval would go a long way in solidifying 23XI as a true championship contender.

The takeaway

23XI Racing has quickly emerged as one of the top teams in NASCAR, but their inability to win on short tracks remains a glaring hole in their performance. Mastering the series' tighter, more technical circuits will be essential if the team wants to contend for the championship this season.