Bubba Wallace Darlington Result: After barely making it to the 2023 NASCAR playoffs, Bubba Wallace secured a top-10 finish at the challenging Darlington Raceway. Although many would view such a result as a considerable achievement, especially in a playoff race, Wallace himself wasn’t too impressed.
His journey to the playoffs had been nerve-wracking, as his chance to qualify depended heavily on the outcome at the Daytona International Speedway. Luckily for him, no new winner emerged, allowing Wallace to claim the last spot in the final 16. From there, expectations for the 23XI Racing star were sky-high.
Yet, the Darlington track, known for its rigorous challenges, didn’t offer Wallace any favors. Starting from the 19th position, things went south for him early in the race. A series of unfortunate events hindered his performance, including an air hose mishap during his 2nd pitstop and a collision with former champion Joey Logano. Despite these setbacks, Wallace managed to salvage his position thanks to the strategic decisions made by his crew chief. Speaking about the race and the collisions, Wallace candidly said, “I’m not happy with myselfapologies to Joey (Logano) and apologies to AJ (Allmendinger). I think the important thing to learn here is to not make enemies race one when you’re in the playoffs because they make it hell. Just did not execute. It’s got to be better.”
In the aftermath of Wallace’s performance, many weighed in on his potential in the playoffs. Kenny Wallace, a retired NASCAR racer, showed immense faith in Bubba. He even went on record to state that Bubba had the potential to go deep into the playoffs. Kenny mentioned, “I know a lot of you love to pick on him. But Bubba Wallace, seventh. He’s shown up. I think he can go deep into these playoffs.”
After hanging up his racing boots, Kenny Wallace started a YouTube channel that dishes out insights on NASCAR events. Given his deep-rooted history in the sport, his words hold weight. He genuinely believes that Bubba has what it takes to shine in the playoffs, even if the results dishearten Bubba himself.
However, it wasn’t all gloom for Wallace at Darlington. A significant turning point for him came at the end of stage 2. Following an instruction from Bootie Barker, his crew chief, Bubba, brought the car in just as a caution sign went up. This smart move allowed him to race ahead during the stage break that followed, enabling him to secure a spot in the top 10. He maintained this position and finished the race in 7th place.
This impressive top-10 finish at Darlington gave Wallace a significant playoff grid boost. He advanced from the 16th spot to the 13th. Now, his eyes are set on the upcoming race at the Kansas Speedway. Wallace has previously tasted victory at this track, so expectations will naturally be high. With the recent endorsement from Kenny Wallace and his history of success at Kansas, many will be watching to see how he performs.
While Darlington may not have had the ideal start to the playoffs that Bubba Wallace had envisioned, it’s evident that he possesses both the resilience and skill to bounce back. With the Kansas Speedway race just around the corner and having previously claimed victory there, fans and experts alike will be eager to see if he can live up to the potential that many believe he has.
Our Reader’s Queries
What was the finishing order of the Darlington race?
The Southern 500 race has come to a close, and the full results are in. Kyle Larson, driving for Hendrick Motorsports in a Chevrolet, took the top spot. Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing came in second in his Toyota, followed by Chris Buescher of RFK Racing in a Ford. William Byron, also driving for Hendrick Motorsports in a Chevrolet, came in fourth, while Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing in a Chevrolet took fifth place. Brad Keselowski of RFK Racing in a Ford rounded out the top six.
Did Bubba Wallace make the playoffs?
Despite being eliminated from the 2023 NASCAR playoffs in the Round of 12, Wallace had a successful postseason debut as he advanced out of the initial round. Reflecting on his weekend at the Charlotte ROVAL, Wallace expressed his excitement, stating that it was an incredible experience.
Who is the top 10 in Darlington?
Here are the top 10 drivers in the NASCAR circuit: Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, William Bryon, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, AJ Allmendinger, Chase Briscoe, and Carson Hocevar. These drivers have proven their mettle on the track and are sure to give their competitors a run for their money. Keep an eye out for these talented drivers as they continue to dominate the NASCAR scene.
Who won the pole for Sunday’s race at Darlington?
Christopher Bell has secured the pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs opener at Darlington Raceway, with an impressive hot lap of 169.193 mph. This marks his third pole of the year and seventh in his Cup career. Fans can catch the action on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, with coverage available on USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and the NBC Sports App.
