Bubba Wallace enters Watkins Glen carrying a sense of relief after clinching his playoff place with an impressive win at the Brickyard, allowing him to approach the coming races with a relaxed mindset. After his Iowa finish and his locked-in status, Wallace is set to tackle the challenging road course with less pressure, embodying the Bubba Wallace relaxed mindset Watkins Glen fans have anticipated.
Securing a Playoff Spot Brings New Confidence
Recently, Bubba Wallace spoke candidly about racing at Watkins Glen now that qualifying for the playoffs through a win is no longer weighing on him. His first victory of the season at the Brickyard secured his ticket to the postseason, giving him breathing room and an opportunity to refocus as the regular season winds down.
After his Brickyard triumph, Wallace followed up with a respectable sixth-place finish in Iowa. With upcoming races at Richmond and Daytona, his playoff spot secure, Wallace was open about his mental approach to Watkins Glen‘s demanding road course. During a recent media session, he addressed how having a win changes his perspective and attitude heading into the race.
“Yeah, for sure. I got nothing to stress about. Obviously push myself harder and harder to find all the speed in our car. So I’m looking forward to that. It’s going to be a challenging day. I know that. But nonetheless get the sleeves rolled up and ready to go,” Wallace said. —Bubba Wallace, Driver
When asked about life outside of the playoff “bubble” following his victory, Wallace described his feelings as “awesome.” He shared that he’s enjoying the chance to turn attention toward preparing and improving, seeing the last three regular-season races as moments to uncover and address any team weaknesses.
Wishing for Teammates’ Success Ahead of Playoff Push
Beyond his own steady progress, Wallace took a moment to reflect on his fellow 23XI Racing drivers, Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst, both of whom have yet to find the winner’s circle this season. Looking ahead to Watkins Glen, Wallace expressed hope for his teammates‘ success in the fight for playoff spots.
Tyler Reddick, who clinched the regular season championship in 2024 with three wins, currently sits sixth in the standings but remains without a win—or a playoff guarantee—this season. Riley Herbst, likewise, is searching for a breakthrough performance to bolster his playoff chances.
Wallace was clear in his support, emphasizing the strength of their team and the importance of everyone making the cut for the postseason.
“Hopefully we can get the #45 locked in on a win and then you know the #35 needs to win. So if Tyler finds his road course tricks, he could win this weekend and then Riley does his super speedway magic, we could get all three cars in the playoffs. It’s not far out of the realm.” —Bubba Wallace, Driver
Wallace also noted his own motivation to continue working hard, appreciating the benefit of competing without the burden of needing another win to advance. He called the regular-season win a special milestone for the #23 team, allowing for a more aggressive and measured approach as the season continues.
Outlook for Wallace and 23XI Racing
The remaining regular season races at Richmond and Daytona offer a chance for Wallace and his 23XI Racing teammates to fine-tune their performances before the playoffs begin. The Bubba Wallace relaxed mindset Watkins Glen approach could empower him to push the limits on the road course and support his teammates in their playoff quests.
As the competitive energy intensifies, Wallace’s focus is on building momentum, learning from each track, and helping his fellow drivers maximize their opportunities. The next few races will determine if both Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst can join Wallace in the playoffs, further cementing 23XI Racing’s presence at NASCAR’s top level.
