Bubba Wallace believes his team has 'a really good shot' to advance in playoffs

With Darlington behind him, Bubba Wallace has moved up the NASCAR Playoff standings and is one point below the cutline. Christopher Bell is just barely ahead of Wallace. Based on last week and his experience at Kansas, this is more than good news for the 23 team.

Last season, Bubba Wallace won the Kansas playoff race as a non-playoff driver. He scored a top-5 finish there earlier this season. These intermediate tracks are where he has thrived, especially this season. So, why not feel confident?

Wallace spoke with Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports about being on the bubble, just as he was to end the regular season.

“Sure any bubble practice is good practice,” Bubba Wallace said. “So, you know I said it while we were fighting for a bubble in the regular season, we’re better than 16th. I said it when the playoffs started, we’re better than 16th. I think we have a really good shot. This first round is really suited for us. One down, two to go is what Freddie said after the race ended crossing the start-finish line last weekend. We just need to do the same thing we did at Darlington. I need to clean some things up for sure. But the way we executed in the second and third stage was really good and really positive.

“To walk away with a top-10 was big especially after the day started. But I think if we just go out and run our own race this weekend everything will take care of itself. If it’s meant to be, then we’ll move on. We have to make sure we don’t leave the race track Sunday night wishing that we would have done something different or knowing that there was something left out on the table.”

Bubba Wallace is one point behind Christopher Bell in the cutoff spot going into the second race of the opening round. I wondered if Wallace’s experience on the bubble at the end of the regular season will help him handle it in the playoffs or if it is different. His response: pic.twitter.com/4SxD0Bv18E

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 7, 2023

Bubba Wallace has set himself up for success

In his Cup Series career, a lot of the issues with Bubba Wallace on the track is inconsistency. He has also had to learn how to race on road courses and short tracks. The strides he’s taken to at least be able to points race when needed shouldn’t be overlooked.

He was on the bubble at Daytona and held off the drivers below him. Then Bubba Wallace entered Darlington as the 16th driver of 16. He left in the 13th position and has a great chance to push himself into the top-12 and beyond.

Of course, the 23 team has to be thinking about how they can get a win here. If you get that checkered flag, points don’t matter, at least until the next round. Not to mention the playoff points that Wallace would get for the Round of 12. He’s shown what he can do at this track, now he has to go out and do it again. Much easier said than done.

When we get ready for the Round of 12 after Bristol, will we see Bubba Wallace in that group advancing to Texas?