Bubba Wallace sparked laughter within the racing world following the latest Bubba Wallace NASCAR qualifying, playfully mentioning retirement after being out-qualified by rival Shane van Gisbergen at New Hampshire. The qualifying session positioned van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion, in tenth place while Wallace settled for fourteenth on the grid as the playoff pressure intensifies.
Friendly Rivalries and Racing Bets Defined Their Summer
Throughout the summer, Bubba Wallace, Shane van Gisbergen, and IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin participated in the Summer Shootout Series, frequently chronicling their experiences in Wallace’s YouTube vlogs. Their competitive spirit extended beyond the track with bets, including the lighthearted wager that whoever qualified slowest would buy a meal for the group. Wallace previously joked that if van Gisbergen ever bested him in a NASCAR Cup qualifying session on an oval, he would consider retiring.
Van Gisbergen Impresses on Ovals as Playoff Stakes Rise
Although van Gisbergen, often referred to as “SVG” or the “Kiwi”, is no longer in playoff contention, he continues to show improvement on oval tracks—a format less familiar to him. At New Hampshire, van Gisbergen achieved a personal best NASCAR Cup qualifying effort on an oval, excluding a pole at a non-points event in North Wilkesboro, by securing tenth place. Previously, his best on an oval was eleventh at the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis.
After qualifying, Wallace reached out to van Gisbergen, who humorously replied, “Haven’t seen your retirement post.” Shane van Gisbergen. Wallace then shared,
“Old bloke out-qualified me, now I gotta retire.”
Bubba Wallace, Driver.
Wallace Faces Playoff Pressure as SVG Continues To Adapt
Van Gisbergen has claimed four wins this year; however, all were on road courses. His top finish on an oval remains fourteenth, achieved twice—first during the Coca-Cola 600, then again at Richmond Raceway. For Wallace, New Hampshire launches the Round of 12 in the 2025 playoff battle. Following a recent points reset, Wallace sits just a single point above the elimination cutline.
Penske’s Momentum and a Competitive Field at New Hampshire
Meanwhile, the wider NASCAR Cup field at New Hampshire has seen intense competition. Team Penske is favored at the venue, with Joey Logano putting in a standout performance to clinch pole position at Loudon, leading a Penske front row lockout. As the playoff rounds advance, drivers like Wallace and van Gisbergen remain under the spotlight, while championship contenders like Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri continue to make their marks in other racing series worldwide.
The outcome of this qualifying session, and Wallace’s spirited reaction, highlight the camaraderie and pressure that define NASCAR’s high-stakes environment. As the playoff fight advances, all eyes remain on drivers striving for every possible advantage on both ovals and road courses.
