Bubba Wallace’s retirement promise has come under scrutiny after a surprising turn at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, leaving fans and rivals questioning his next move. The incident unfolded when rookie competitor Shane Van Gisbergen out-qualified Wallace, triggering the NASCAR driver’s earlier vow to retire if beaten on an oval by Van Gisbergen.
Bold Claim Comes Back to Haunt Wallace
Heading into the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, Bubba Wallace was experiencing his most successful season in eight years. However, his momentum was interrupted when he secured only the 14th starting position during qualifying at New Hampshire, overshadowed by Shane Van Gisbergen’s 10th place—an impressive career best on an oval track for the rookie.
Van Gisbergen, in his rookie season, already boasts four wins, all from road courses, yet this achievement on an oval brought a new level of competition. The qualifying results had a dramatic side effect due to Wallace’s public promise to retire if ever out-qualified by Van Gisbergen in such fashion.
Wallace Acknowledges Challenge in Real-Time
The commitment first gained public traction when Wallace posted on social media:
“Ole bloke out-qualified me now I gotta retire 💀 @shanevg97 pic.twitter.com/tmk6EWV5pP” — Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace)
After the qualifying round, Wallace also revealed part of his private correspondence with Van Gisbergen to emphasize just how immediate—and unexpected—the situation had become. Van Gisbergen texted,
“I haven’t seen your retirement post,”
Van Gisbergen, Driver
reminding Wallace of his earlier statement about stepping away if out-qualified by the rookie on an oval. Wallace, seemingly caught off guard, left many to wonder if he would follow through on his word.
Struggles Persist for Both Drivers on Race Day
Despite both drivers’ strong positions at the start, neither capitalized during the actual race. Van Gisbergen ran into trouble after advancing into the top five, as a collision with Wood Brothers’ Josh Berry sent him down the standings, ultimately finishing 32nd. Berry recovered spectacularly, ending the day in second place.
Bubba Wallace encountered his own difficulties, steadily falling back in the field. He ultimately finished 26th, ranking him the lowest among the 12 drivers still in the playoffs. This outcome placed Wallace 27 points under the cutoff line, intensifying the pressure as only two races remain in this playoff round.
Looking Ahead: Kansas as a Possible Turning Point
Wallace and his 23XI Racing team now look to Kansas Speedway, a track that once brought them victory during the 2022 NASCAR season. With the season and his earlier promise both on the line, Bubba Wallace must outperform his rivals to avoid an early playoff elimination—and decide whether his retirement pledge stands now that Van Gisbergen has claimed an oval qualifying victory over him. This development has the NASCAR community waiting anxiously to see if Wallace remains true to his word, or if the story takes another unexpected twist in the weeks ahead.
Ole bloke out-qualified me now I gotta retire 💀 @shanevg97 pic.twitter.com/tmk6EWV5pP
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) September 21, 2025
