23XI Racing left San Diego with mixed feelings. While Corey Heim won, Tyler Reddick fell behind. Now, the team faces another blow. NASCAR has now hit Bubba Wallace’s team with a penalty. 

On Wednesday,  the NASCAR team announced a penalty for the No. 23 23XI team after the Anduril 250. The sanctioning body issued a suspension for Rear tire changer Adam Hartman and jackman Nathan Ricketts.  

The two members will have to sit out the race at Sonoma and Chicagoland Speedway. NASCAR noted violations of Sections 8.8.10.4.A&D of the NASCAR Rule Book, which covers improperly installed wheels. 

The incident occurred during the caution period on Lap 20. The wheel came off completely on the track and could have been hazardous. While this momentarily threw his performance off track as the No. 23 driver was stuck in the pits for nearly two laps due to a penalty during the race, once he got back on the track, he managed to make his way up the grid. 

While talking about the wheel coming loose in his post-race interview, Wallace did not blame anyone on the pit road. 

"Drive your a** off on a track that you have no idea what you’re doing. Drive up to lead, then have it all taken away from you. I’m not bashing anybody. Pit crew’s been one of the best on pit road and had a mistake. We all have mistakes. Unfortunate that it cost us," he told Frontstretch.

As of now, the team has yet to make a statement about the penalty issued. Even before the penalty was announced, the 23 XI driver looked back on a performance where he felt he had more potential. 

Bubba Wallace reflects on disappointing San Diego outing 

The second-place finish marked one of the No. 23 driver's highest finishes this season. However, despite this, Wallace was left looking back on what could have been. 

While talking to the media post-race, he acknowledged that he needed to put in the hard work before moving on to Sonoma. 

"So, yeah, I just got to keep busting my a**, too. I just keep busting my a**, and maybe something will go my way. But, guess I got to look at it from the last half full, but on to Sonoma next week." (via Frontstretch on YouTube)

For Bubba Wallace, this marked his 3rd top five this season. He is currently sitting in 11th place in the NASCAR Cup Series driver's championship standings.

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar