Bubba Wallace faced a difficult opening race in the Round of 12 at the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, as his 23XI Racing playoff hopes were dealt a major blow at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Wallace could not gain ground in the standings, finishing 26th in the Mobil 1 301 while his teammates Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst finished just ahead of him, in 21st and 22nd respectively.
The 301-lap Mobil 1 301 not only marked the start of an intense playoff stretch, but it also highlighted struggles for Wallace and his team, who now find themselves 12th in the standings and trailing the playoff cutoff by 27 points. Every point matters at this stage, and the Alabama native was visibly frustrated by the outcome.
Speaking to NBC Sports after the race, Wallace didn’t hold back on his disappointment:
“Just a miss all around really. We couldn’t really seem to get things going. Our best run lasted for five laps, the caution came out, and then it was just right back to no good. I hate it.”
– Bubba Wallace, Driver
“I felt really optimistic and marched forward at the start and it just never really went anywhere,”
Bubba Wallace continued.
“We kind of plateaued on Lap 5, and that was it. I hate that. It’s just a head scratcher. I told our team we’re way better than that. We know it.”
– Bubba Wallace, Driver
A Rough Start Sets a Steep Climb
The lackluster results left Wallace deep in a points hole after just one race in this playoff round. While his teammate Reddick and Herbst also struggled, it was Wallace’s finish that sent the strongest signal of trouble for 23XI Racing playoff hopes. The team must now regroup quickly before heading to Kansas Speedway for the upcoming Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet.
Kansas Speedway holds significance for Wallace; he is a past winner at the 1.5-mile track, but his performances there have recently tailed off. Since September 2023, Wallace has not cracked the top 15 at the tri-oval, with his latest result being a 33rd-place finish. That makes the challenge ahead all the more daunting, as every poor finish compounds the pressure to move above the elimination line in the standings.
Currently, the only way for Wallace to advance may be to avoid any on-track incidents, outpace as many rivals as possible, and collect enough points to safely clear the playoff cutoff. An outright win – something he’s managed three times in his career – would guarantee his advancement, but with momentum working against him, the task may prove difficult.
Wallace Focuses on Performance, Not Playoff Format
While many in the sport are debating changes to the elimination-style postseason format, Wallace has refrained from joining that conversation publicly. NASCAR’s playoffs committee is reportedly considering modifications for next season, but as far as Wallace is concerned, the structure of the competition is less important than performance on race day.
In response to the debate over whether the current system is fair, Wallace offered his perspective:
“I could give two craps about how it is, not dismissing people’s opinions, of course, at all. I hear all that, but we have a job,”
Bubba Wallace explained.
“This is what we are paid to do, and we’re paid to beat the rest, right? And once you do that, you become champion. Cool, doesn’t matter what format it is.”
– Bubba Wallace, Driver
Wallace’s primary concern is to chase victories for his team and secure his place in the next NASCAR Cup Series playoff round. With support from his crew and the expectation that 23XI Racing can deliver fast cars, Wallace appears set on simply focusing on his performance, regardless of external factors or pending rule changes.
Pressure Mounts Ahead of Kansas Speedway
As the playoffs progress, all attention now shifts to Kansas Speedway for the pivotal Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet on September 28. Wallace, along with other key drivers like Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst, will need strong finishes to keep championship hopes alive. The margin for error is shrinking, and the next event may decide the fate of several playoff contenders, including Wallace and his 23XI Racing teammates.
Fans eager to follow Wallace’s uphill battle can watch the 267-lap Hollywood Casino 400 live on USA Network or tune in to radio coverage via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. With the playoff drama heating up and Wallace’s determination in the spotlight, the race at Kansas promises to be a must-watch for NASCAR enthusiasts.
