NASCAR: Bubba Wallace looking forward to ‘reset’ amid career year

NASCAR: Bubba Wallace looking forward to 'reset' amid career year

As a seasoned gamer of NASCAR races, I’ve seen my fair share of ups and downs, twists and turns, victories and heartbreaks. Bubba Wallace, the driver of the No. 23 Toyota, has been a fascinating figure in these high-speed contests for me. Despite not securing a playoff berth or a win this season, he’s had an impressive run, with six top five finishes, 13 top 10 finishes, and an average finish of 15.5 – all career bests!

In each of his initial three seasons with 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, Bubba Wallace either claimed a victory or qualified for the playoffs, but he never managed to accomplish both feats at the same time. His wins occurred after the playoffs had already begun.

In their fourth season, the team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan failed to secure a playoff spot and hasn’t managed to win a race. However, despite these results, the driver of the No. 23 Toyota has experienced a breakout year in numerous aspects.

This year, Wallace has surpassed his own record for top five finishes in a single season, now standing at six, compared to his previous high of five, achieved in both 2022 and 2023. Additionally, he’s broken his personal record for top 10 finishes with 13, equaling his previous best achieved in both 2022 and 2023. What’s more, Wallace has achieved the highest average finish of his career at 15.5.

Even though Wallace is only six points behind Chris Buescher from RFK Racing in the race for the highest position in the point standings among drivers not competing in the playoffs, he remains unfazed about points at this point in the season.

As a gamer, I’m always aiming for the checkered flag. Got four more races left in me, and I’m gunning for the victory in each one of them.

He is hopeful that his first win since September 2022, when he won at Kansas Speedway, will come at some point during that four-race stretch.

Wallace announced his victory at Martinsville in the Truck Series. I always enjoy racing there, and we’ve traditionally been quick in Las Vegas as well. The No. 23 team consistently brings competitive vehicles, and I understand what I need to do to make it happen.

Also included in that stretch are races at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.

Despite ending the regular season among the top 16 drivers, Wallace didn’t qualify for the postseason due to an abundance of winners from outside this group. In terms of overall points without considering playoff resets, he ranks 13th, and he’s only 35 points shy of the top eight positions.

Despite achieving playoff entry for the first time in his career, advancing to the second round, and ending the season in 10th position in the standings, he still ranked 14th in overall points.

Although a 8th position finish in points this season might not automatically provide the 31-year-old from Mobile, Alabama with momentum for the upcoming year, his goal remains to return to the playoffs.

Wallace confessed that he aims to start anew with every changing season. While he acknowledges his personal growth as part of this team, he makes an effort to let go of the past with each approaching season.

Starting the new year, Daytona offers an opportunity for a fresh start, aiming once more for the playoffs, and striving to win again.

2024-10-20 15:02