Bubba Wallace, a standout among Cup Series drivers, raced Legends cars this week alongside Scott McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen at the Summer Shootout in Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina, achieving an impressive result. The event saw Wallace outperform his notable peers, highlighting how Cup Series drivers race Legends cars to maintain sharpness and gain valuable experience before heading to pivotal races like the Brickyard 400.
Wallace Secures Strong Finish Despite Tough Qualifying Round
Wallace, representing 23XI Racing, lined up with Australian Supercars champions Scott McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen for the midweek Legends car event. While Wallace began the race with the last qualifying position, he made an impressive push to finish second. McLaughlin crossed the line in fifth, and van Gisbergen ended in ninth. Addressing his performance, Wallace acknowledged his usual qualifying struggles but remained optimistic:
“My qualifying efforts suck. And so I thought I was just reliving Sundays, and I actually turned things around. So, hopefully, this is foreshadowing something for the future. That’d be really nice.”
—Bubba Wallace, Cup Series Driver
Currently ranked 13th in the Cup Series points standings, Wallace enters this weekend’s event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a record of three top-five and seven top-10 finishes. However, victory has so far eluded him this season. The pressures are compounded by legal challenges facing 23XI Racing, as the team is caught up in the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, which directly affects Wallace as the driver of the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE.
Summer Shootout Offers Skill Building and Relief for Racing Stars
For Cup Series drivers like Wallace, McLaughlin, and van Gisbergen, the midweek Legends car races at the Summer Shootout serve as both a mental escape and crucial on-track practice. With limited practice time available before Sunday races, these Tuesday night shootouts at Charlotte Motor Speedway allow competitors to refine their craft in a high-energy, low-pressure environment. For van Gisbergen, who continues to adapt to oval racing, the added seat time is especially beneficial.
The Role of the Summer Shootout in Driver Development
The Summer Shootout, contested over ten races across eight divisions, is a cornerstone for up-and-coming and established drivers alike. Many NASCAR professionals—including Wallace, Joey Logano, and Chase Elliott—started their careers with this program. The Shootout’s structure, hosting weekly races through June and July and culminating with a championship event, supports those who may lack the resources to compete elsewhere. Wallace spoke on the value of his early Legends car experiences:
“I’ve always sung high praises for Legend Cars just because I felt it taught you a lot. We always told people we were winning and fighting, or we were losing and fighting. We were always fighting because it was so tough.”
—Bubba Wallace, Cup Series Driver
Beyond the big names, the Summer Shootout also provides crucial exposure to young drivers seeking affordable competition, building the foundation for future Cup Series prospects.
Looking Ahead to Indianapolis and the Brickyard 400
As Wallace, van Gisbergen, and McLaughlin take the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the upcoming Brickyard 400, they carry the skills and confidence honed in the Summer Shootout. The series continues to serve as a proving ground for Cup Series drivers, offering experience that might translate into improved results on Sundays and, potentially, breakthrough performances as the season progresses.
Our Reader’s Queries
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A. The series has eight episodes, each lasting 30 minutes. On January 17, 2025, they shared that it was canceled after just one season.
