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In a candid discussion on his "Actions Detrimental" podcast, 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin shed light on the intricate relationship between his burgeoning NASCAR Cup Series team and the established powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), revealing how 23XI has leveraged their alliance to achieve a recent string of victories, notably outperforming their technical partners. The revelation comes amidst a remarkable start to the 2026 season for 23XI, with driver Tyler Reddick securing four wins in the opening six races, a performance that has significantly outpaced JGR’s own early-season results.
The foundation of this performance surge, according to Hamlin, lies in the comprehensive technical alliance between 23XI and JGR. For an estimated $8 million annually, 23XI Racing gains access to all of JGR’s technical data. However, Hamlin emphasized that this information exchange is a two-way street, fostering a collaborative environment where both organizations benefit from shared insights. "We’re always privy to what they’re doing, as well as they know what we’re doing," Hamlin stated on his podcast, underscoring the reciprocal nature of their partnership. This open flow of information is crucial in the highly competitive world of NASCAR, where even minor data advantages can translate into significant on-track performance.
The question then arises: how does 23XI, a relatively young team established in 2020, manage to outperform a championship-laden organization like JGR, which boasts a rich history and multiple Cup Series titles? Hamlin elaborated on the process of developing race-winning setups, highlighting that the divergence in performance isn’t a result of secrecy but rather of interpretation and application of shared data. The process begins well in advance of race weekends, typically "about a week and a half to two weeks in advance," as teams start to formulate a baseline setup. This involves initial assessments of shock settings, spring rates, and weight distribution, based on historical data and predictive modeling.
"The teams will start coming up with a baseline setup. Like, ‘here’s the general shock, springs, weights of the car that we think is correct’," Hamlin explained. This baseline is then refined through extensive simulation work. "As they run sim and simulation models, it will continue to evolve, and as they get more information, it just starts to evolve." Crucially, driver input plays a pivotal role in steering this evolutionary process. "And then the drivers send the teams down a certain path of ‘what I want my car to do’," Hamlin added. This driver-specific feedback, combined with the engineering data, ultimately dictates the final setup sent to the track.
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Hamlin admitted a degree of surprise at the extent of 23XI’s current advantage, particularly in the early stages of the 2026 season. "So I think that we probably… I wasn’t aware that they were in a different place, like a far different place… far, far away from where we were until like the weekend," he conceded. This suggests that while both teams are privy to the same core data, the interpretation and implementation by 23XI’s engineering and competition departments, coupled with driver feedback, have yielded superior results in recent outings. He also humorously added, "But again, we’re all just guessing," acknowledging the inherent uncertainties in motorsport and the constant pursuit of marginal gains.
The dynamic of how drivers within the alliance utilize this shared information is also a key factor. When asked about his personal practice of reviewing JGR’s setup sheets, Hamlin indicated a focused approach on his own car’s needs. "I don’t look at setup sheets or anything like that," he stated. "It’s always different for every team, certainly on any given week. I don’t have time to then, ‘Alright, I’ve locked in my setup, let me see what other people have come up with’."
However, Hamlin does concede to a post-race analysis that can inform future decisions. "I have done it post-race before and said, ‘Okay, that person was successful with that. Let me run that. Let me see what that feels like’. That probably will happen today," he noted, suggesting a retrospective learning process. Despite this, his primary focus remains on his own understanding of car dynamics. "But generally speaking, I just focus on what I need because at so many of these racetracks, I have a really good understanding of the feel that I need in my car to go win." This personal discipline and focus, he implied, contribute to his ability to extract maximum performance from his own equipment.
The current success of 23XI Racing, particularly with Tyler Reddick’s impressive four-win streak, can therefore be attributed to a confluence of factors. The robust technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing provides a strong foundation of data and resources. However, it is 23XI’s agile engineering approach, their ability to interpret and apply that data effectively, and the crucial input from their drivers that appear to be creating the current performance differential. As Hamlin himself put it, "And in the case of the first six races, 23XI has just done a better job of guessing what set-up needs to be loaded into the cars." This "guess" is, of course, a highly educated one, built upon sophisticated data analysis, simulation, and a deep understanding of race car dynamics.
Looking ahead, the partnership between 23XI and JGR will undoubtedly be a focal point. As 23XI continues to ascend in the competitive landscape of the NASCAR Cup Series, their ability to leverage this alliance while maintaining their distinct identity and innovative edge will be critical. The recent success highlights the evolving nature of motorsport partnerships, where collaboration, data sharing, and strategic interpretation can redefine competitive hierarchies. While JGR remains a formidable force, 23XI Racing has demonstrably proven that with the right approach, even an established order can be challenged and, in this instance, momentarily surpassed, by effectively utilizing their shared resources and their own unique insights. The ongoing dialogue between Hamlin and his team, as well as with their JGR counterparts, will continue to shape the narrative of this compelling technical relationship and its impact on the championship battle.
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