23XI Racing enters the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season determined to rebound after a step back in 2025. Following Tyler Reddick’s run to the Championship 4 in 2024, expectations were sky-high, but the team managed just one win last season. Bubba Wallace’s victory at Indianapolis was a highlight, yet the momentum never carried into a deep playoff run. With all three cars returning and a clearer understanding of its strengths and weaknesses, 23XI believes it is positioned to return to winning form.

Bubba Wallace once again leads the organization in the No. 23 Toyota. His 2025 season was full of highs and lows. Strong runs on intermediate tracks and continued improvement on road courses showed real growth, but nine DNFs hurt his overall results and average finish. Wallace led nearly 400 laps last year, proving the speed is there. If the team can clean up execution and finish races consistently, Wallace has the potential to be more than just a playoff driver and could find himself in the championship conversation.

Riley Herbst enters his second full-time Cup Series season with realistic but important goals. The No. 35 team struggled to keep pace with its teammates in 2025, and results reflected that gap. Still, simply gaining experience at the Cup level matters. Herbst showed flashes of improvement late in the year, including solid finishes at Bristol and Las Vegas. In 2026, progress will be measured by closing the gap to the other 23XI cars and becoming a more consistent top-20 presence.

Tyler Reddick remains the team’s biggest championship threat, even after a puzzling 2025 season. Finishing ninth in the standings without a win was unexpected for a driver known for aggressive style and race-winning speed. Reddick rarely found himself in position to dominate races, but consistency kept him in the playoff picture. With a new championship format in place, Reddick could be well suited to make another deep run and put last season behind him.

For 23XI Racing, 2026 is about resetting the standard. The talent is proven, the resources are strong, and Toyota support remains a key advantage. If Wallace can finish races, Herbst can take a step forward, and Reddick can rediscover his winning touch, 23XI should be back in Victory Lane multiple times and firmly reestablish itself as a championship-caliber organization.