A chance in the playoffs is something that has constantly eluded 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace. Either being unable to win races or not having enough points during the regular season, Wallace has always fallen short of making it to the final 16. But this year things seem to be in a much better position for him. With just a handful of races remaining before we head into the postseason, Wallace currently occupies a position within the playoff cut-offs, although just barely.
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He would still need a win to make sure that he is secured for the postseason. Discussing the matter, Wallace recently elaborated on how he felt motivated to improve his position in the points standing.
Bubba Wallace seems motivated in the bid to enter the playoffs
Wallace currently occupies the 15th rank in the standings. Meanwhile, Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez occupies the last slot for playoff contention in the 16th. While it’s good to see Wallace’s name in contention, he isn’t really in a comfortable position at the moment. If any of the winless drivers start winning races around him, he would soon be pushed further down the standings.
Recently, Wallace stated, “They put up the points bubble, and it’s cool to see your name above the cutline. I think in my last five years, we weren’t even in the top 20 at this point. So, it’s cool. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but I think moving forward, we’ve just got to realize the situation that presents itself each and every weekend and capitalize on that if it’s a good one.”
Over the years, his progress has been quite evident. Just looking back at the race in Nashville last year proved to be a pivotal moment for Wallace and his team. Despite their speed, a series of errors removed them from the playoff contention, culminating in Wallace’s loss of temper over the radio.
Has this been the best season in Bubba Wallace’s NASCAR career so far?
So far this season Wallace has managed to score 4 top-5s, 5 top-10s, and 53 laps led in the past 17 races. On Sunday, he made his milestone 200th Cup Series start during the race at Nashville Superspeedway.
A career milestone achieved!
Congratulations to @BubbaWallace on making his 200th NASCAR Cup Series start tonight! pic.twitter.com/rUggEJPjib
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 25, 2023
Improvement could be on the horizon if Wallace secures a win or consistently finishes high in each race. Pair that with the hope that the season doesn’t yield 16 different winners. In that case, we could see him qualify for the postseason for the first time in his career, potentially making 2023 his most successful season yet. Currently, the two-time race winner’s attention must be directed toward the upcoming races, aiming to secure his position for the Round of 16.
