Pocono Raceway NASCAR Cup Recap: Brake Issues Sink 23XI Racing
In a challenging NASCAR Cup race at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, 23XI Racing faced significant setbacks due to brake failures that impacted multiple entries. Both Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst suffered catastrophic brake issues, resulting in destroyed vehicles.
On Lap 41, a caution was triggered when Herbst’s No. 35 Toyota slammed the wall, initially attributed to a flat tire but later confirmed as a brake failure. His teammate, Wallace, experienced a similar fate just 13 laps later when a brake rotor exploded on his No. 23 Toyota, leading to a hard crash. Both drivers emerged uninjured but were unable to finish the race, ultimately placing 36th and 37th, respectively, each earning just one point.
Key Quotes
Wallace expressed frustration, stating, “Nothing… by the time I was ready to touch the pedal it just went to the floor and the brakes exploded.” He added, “We knew it was going to be a grind… but the brakes just didn’t want to hang on that long.”
Herbst also articulated his surprise at the brake issues, recounting, “Getting into (Turn) one, the brakes just went to the floor. A brake rotor exploded, and I was along for the ride.”
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing’s remaining driver, was warned about the potential for brake issues and brought his No. 45 car behind the wall for inspection. He managed to complete the race but finished a disappointing 32nd.
Implications
The DNFs have significant consequences for Wallace, who is now precariously positioned just 29 points above the playoff cut line. The team’s collective struggles at Pocono highlight ongoing mechanical reliability concerns that could impact their championship aspirations.
As the series moves forward, the technical issues faced at Pocono will necessitate immediate attention from 23XI Racing to ensure more competitive performances in future events.
