Denny Hamlin weighs in on Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace pit crew struggles

Tyler Reddick wasn’t the only one frustrated with his pit crew during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway a few weeks ago. 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin voiced some concerns recently about that crew, as well as the one in charge of helping Bubba Wallace.

A loose wheel after a pit stop at Michigan cost Reddick a chance at a great finish during — potentially a victory. The driver was furious with his crew, calling it “unacceptable.”

Hamlin talked about the struggles prior to Sunday’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He hasn’t been too pleased with the pit crew performances from either Reddick’s or Wallace’s teams.

“I mean, it’s frustrating from my standpoint because I live through it myself,” Hamlin said, in a video posted by NBC’s Dustin Long. “And so, I know what Tyler is going through and the emotion you have — Bubba, too. It’s free spots to the competition.

“So, it is a process. I mean, it’s gonna take years. I can’t emphasize how much time it takes. But ownership has bought into the fact of investing in our pit crews into the future and what we need to do to make it better.”

#NASCAR … Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, on the recent pit road issues for Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace and taking a long look at developing the pit crews. pic.twitter.com/ojVBkopQ1a

— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) August 13, 2023

While the average pit stop times for both teams is fairly solid this year, both crews have made pivotal mistakes. It’s cost Wallace and Reddick chances at better finishes throughout the season.

While frustrating, it sounds like Hamlin understands these things take time. Changes could also be in the mix in the coming weeks.

Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace talk pit crew woes

Reddick did not hold back on his pit crew after the poor stop at Michigan. And, because it cost him a potential win, it’s understandable.

Here’s what that sounded like from inside the driver’s car:

One, two, three, four!

FOUR censor beeps for Tyler Reddick. 🤬

Watch on @USANetwork. pic.twitter.com/ZNUGPmzqGC

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 7, 2023

Before Sunday’s race at IMS, Reddick and Wallace both talked about the tirade.

“You never want to lose your cool, but certainly, if you are hot about something, it’s best to let it go and move on,” Reddick told NBC Sports of his outburst after the incident at Michigan. “If you sit on it for weeks and weeks and weeks and don’t let it out, it’s not helping the situation for sure.”

“I’m happy for him to voice his frustration,” Wallace said of Reddick. “Hell, I got sat down and talked to when I did it. So I’m glad we’re getting to a better spot for our team.”