Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing achieved a notable milestone with Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace securing the top two qualifying positions at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix in Austin. Reddick’s pole position at 1:38.08 and Wallace’s second position at 1:38.3 highlight their skill and improvement. Chase Elliott also impressed by qualifying third, showcasing a formidable return to the road racing scene. Additionally, rookie Connor Zilisch aims to set a record as the youngest Cup Series winner.
23XI Racing has triumphed with their recent achievements on the track, showcasing resilience after overcoming a challenging legal battle. Tyler Reddick claimed pole position at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix in Austin with a remarkable qualifying lap of 1:38.08. His teammate, Bubba Wallace, secured the second position at 1:38.3, marking a significant improvement in his track performance over the years.
Reddick expressed concern about Wallace’s pace, saying, “I was worried I screwed Bubba’s lap up. I think today threw us for a loop… it’s going to be a great track position for us tomorrow.” Notably, this one-two finish in qualifying is a first for 23XI Racing. In contrast, Riley Herbst’s third-fastest time in qualifying was disqualified due to track limit violations, leaving Chase Elliott to secure the third position with a lap time of 1:38.36.
Elliott, who won the inaugural race at COTA in 2021 amidst challenging conditions, demonstrated resilience as he faced tire degradation during practice. After aborting his initial qualifying lap, he managed a strong final attempt to clinch a top position in the lineup. “Anytime you can go win is a great feeling,” he remarked about his previous victory, hoping for continued success in road courses.
In addition to Reddick, Wallace, and Elliott, Carson Hocevar and Daniel Suárez rounded out the top five. 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, making his Cup Series debut, impressively qualified in 14th place. Zilisch aims to become the youngest Cup Series winner, potentially breaking the record held by Joey Logano.
Having begun his racing career in go-karts, Zilisch has progressed through various series, capturing attention with his successful performances. His ambition is to win a race before July 2025, thus fulfilling his goal of becoming the youngest winner in the NASCAR Cup Series. Meanwhile, 23XI Racing’s accomplishments have sparked discussions about their potential dominance in the series.
23XI Racing has made significant strides with Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace achieving notable qualifying positions at COTA. Their impressive performances underscore the team’s resilience amidst past challenges. Additionally, Chase Elliott’s strong showing reaffirms his competitive presence in the series. The emergence of young talents like Connor Zilisch indicates a bright future for NASCAR, stirring excitement for upcoming races and possibilities of record-breaking achievements.
Original Source: www.essentiallysports.com
