**23XI Racing Announces Major Overhaul Amid Internal Challenges**
In a stunning turn of events, 23XI Racing, the NASCAR team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and veteran driver Denny Hamlin, has just announced a sweeping set of changes that could reshape its future in the NASCAR Cup Series. The decision, revealed just minutes ago, comes on the heels of reported internal issues that have sparked widespread speculation about the team’s direction. These changes, described as a response to both performance struggles and off-track dynamics, are poised to redefine the organization’s trajectory as it navigates a turbulent 2025 season.
Sources close to the team indicate that 23XI Racing has been grappling with internal challenges, including operational inefficiencies and strategic disagreements. Recent reports have highlighted pit crew woes and inconsistent on-track performance, with drivers Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Riley Herbst facing setbacks despite flashes of competitive speed. Notably, Reddick’s loose wheel incident at Michigan in 2023 and Wallace’s string of DNFs in 2025 have underscored the need for operational improvements. These issues, compounded by the team’s high-profile antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, have created a pressure cooker environment at their Huntersville, North Carolina headquarters, Airspeed.
The most significant change announced today is a restructuring of the team’s leadership and operational framework. 23XI has appointed a new Director of Race Operations, whose identity remains undisclosed but is rumored to be a seasoned motorsport veteran with experience at top-tier teams. This move aims to address the persistent pit crew problems that Denny Hamlin previously described as a multi-year challenge to fix. Additionally, the team has committed to bolstering its training program, moving away from reliance on Joe Gibbs Racing’s facilities to develop an in-house pit crew academy at Airspeed. This shift is seen as a long-term investment to enhance performance reliability.
On the driver front, 23XI has confirmed its commitment to its current lineup—Reddick, Wallace, and Herbst—despite recent criticism of their inconsistent results. The team is also pushing forward with plans to secure a third charter for the 2025 season, a deal currently in limbo due to NASCAR’s pending approval. This acquisition, part of an agreement with the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing, is critical to 23XI’s expansion strategy but remains entangled in the ongoing legal battle over NASCAR’s charter system.
The timing of these changes is critical, as 23XI Racing faces uncertainty in its antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. The team, alongside Front Row Motorsports, has challenged NASCAR’s charter agreements, citing unfair negotiation practices. A recent court ruling denied their request for a preliminary injunction, raising the possibility that 23XI could race as non-chartered “open” entries in 2025, a move that would drastically reduce revenue and competitive guarantees. Despite this setback, 23XI’s leadership remains defiant, with Hamlin stating, “We’re committed to competing at the highest level while standing firm on fair practices.”
These bold moves signal 23XI’s determination to overcome internal strife and external pressures. By addressing operational weaknesses and reinforcing its commitment to growth, the team aims to solidify its position as a NASCAR powerhouse. As the 2025 season looms, all eyes will be on 23XI to see if these changes can translate into victories on the track and in the courtroom.
