Bubba Wallace explains the challenges of IMSA car versus Cup Series car
Before NASCAR heads to Daytona International Speedway, Bubba Wallace and a couple other Toyota drivers are in town for IMSA. Wallace is teaming up with John Hunter Nemechek and Corey Heim in the Michelin Pilot Challenge.
Wallace has never made a start in IMSA. He is set to participate in the four-hour endurance race ahead of the 24 Hours of Daytona. In his Toyota Supra, he’s learning a lot.
Last season, Bubba Wallace asked Toyota for help on road courses. So, when a car became available for the Roar Before the 24 and the Pilot Challenge, Wallace took it. He wanted to improve his race craft, and it sounds like he is.
“So figuring out everything, I’ve never felt more out of place,” Wallace said in a video from IMSA. “Just from the firesuit, the bootcut versus the tucked in. … We’re having a lot of fun though, I’m enjoying it.”
Even though it has been enjoyable, Bubba and his teammates have been figuring things out. The biggest thing is figuring out the brakes.
“I think we’re all just getting more used to and confident with braking because it’s so much different,” Wallace explained. “You’ve got ABS on here, you’ve got traction control as well. So, ABS felt like that was your limiting factor, nah, you push through that. Really, getting a hold of braking, getting the tires to slow down and grip up for the perfect execution on apex. It’s been a whirlwind figuring that out.”
Bubba Wallace is going to be getting valuable race time this weekend. His Smooge Racing team will try and improve throughout the week when they can. On the track, they will try and improve with each lap they turn in the four-hour event.
Bubba Wallace showing improvement on road courses
If you look at the last two years, Bubba Wallace has shown improvement on the road courses. Still, there are times when he overthinks things and is content with staying wherever he is on the track.
I think about incidents like COTA in 2023, and it is cause for concern. Then you look at his performances at Watkins Glen and the Charlotte Roval where he held his own. It wasn’t an impressive finish at either race, but it was just enough.
23XI Racing knows that Wallace needs help, so they are letting him get extra seat time. There is a wave of road course drivers coming into the sport of NASCAR and drivers like Wallace need to keep up with the rest of the pack.
Corey Heim is working with two drivers in Wallace and Nemechek that he might replace at some point this season. Heim was recently named the reserve driver for both Legacy and 23XI.
Bubba Wallace is trying to improve his race craft, will we see that reflected in his results this season?