Bubba Wallace reacts to being playoff-bound after 'stressful week'
Bubba Wallace is on to the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs for the first time in his career. Wallace entered Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 race in the 16th and final spot and held onto that position following Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 race, which Chris Buescher won.
Wallace finished 12th, which allowed him to earn the playoff berth by 47 points over Daniel Suarez. The driver took to Twitter following the milestone to share a message with the fans and explain what was going through his mind during the race as he wondered whether he would qualify.
“Playoff bound with the ’23 team,” Wallace said. “So proud of the efforts. What a stressful week it’s been. What a day. Didn’t have the car. I knew that from the rip, but just needed luck to fall our way and it did. Honored to be a part of the 2023 playoffs. Off day tomorrow and back to work on Monday. Darlington’s coming up. We know what we can do there in the first round, so let’s get after it.”
Wallace is a two-time winner at the Cup Series but never qualified for the playoffs as he won as a spoiler in 2021 and 2022 before the field was set. He is the lone first-time playoff driver of this year’s group. He joins teammate Tyler Reddick as the first two drivers to make the postseason for Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team.
As Wallace mentioned in his post, the next stop is Darlington Raceway as playoff action begins next Sunday. After that there will be races at Kansas and Bristol that will also count toward the first round.
The bottom four drivers in the standings after the Bristol race will be eliminated, and Wallace will hope he can find himself among those moving on to the next round once again.
Michael Jordan congratulates Bubba Wallace on playoff berth
After parking up following the race, Wallace came out to a throng of family, friends and team staff there to congratulate him. Among the thicket of hugs and handshakes was six-time NBA champion and 23XI team owner Jordan.
They shared a quick embrace before Jordan made the rounds, shaking hands and cajoling with pit crew members and other team staff.
Jordan and Hamlin first formed 23XI in 2020. Shortly after, Wallace became the team’s first driver as he was hired to drive the No. 23 — the same number Jordan wore in the NBA — Toyota in 2021. Now Jordan and the whole 23XI crew can rejoice in the fact that Wallace, one of their drivers, exceeds behind the wheel and will get a crack at the NASCAR playoffs now.