Bubba Wallace takes time for 'self-reflection' after off-week vacation
While NASCAR took a break, Bubba Wallace flew out to Hawaii to recharge, rest up, and do a little bit of “self-reflection.” The 23XI Racing driver had the best streak of his Cup Series career right before the midway break. Now he’s in a position that he hasn’t been in before, 15th in the standings with 10 races left until the playoffs.
Let’s not forget that Bubba Wallace was ripping out top-5 finishes like it was nothing not long ago. While he had a brake failure at Gateway cost him another top-10 at least and a rough ace at Sonoma for P17, the momentum is still rolling.
“Self-reflection… Really wanted to use this off period to relax and absolutely get away,” Wallace said on Instagram. “This year has been the most demanding of them all. It’s what I signed up for, I accept it.
“I found it very hard to completely escape, my mind is programmed to think about work. How to get better, am I good enough, where can I improve, how can I treat my support team better to help me overall.”
Bubba Wallace continued his post, talking about commitment, being a better person, and dealing with all that life throws your way.
“A lot of work ahead both on and off the rack this year, beyond ready to kick off the 2nd half with more passion and a more defined purpose! Let’s go to work!”
With the playoffs seemingly in his grasp, is this the year that Bubba Wallace breaks through and shows he’s a top-tier driver?
Bubba Wallace is in control of his destiny
Now, the NASCAR playoff bubble is forming. So, nothing is guaranteed. However, with 10 races in the regular season left, there are a number of drivers that have a chance to control their own destiny. Bubba Wallace is among them.
With four top-5s and five top-10s on the season, Wallace finds himself 26 points up on 17th-place, Daniel Suárez, who is the first one out as of right now. The gap to the next winless driver, though, is Brad Keselowski in 12th place, 70 points ahead of Wallace.
Nashville is a place Wallace should be able to compete well. It will be his 200th Cup Series start. He will then have to grind his way through the Chicago Street Race as best he can. After that, the stretch from Atlanta to New Hampshire and then Pocono will give him more chances to pick up points, or possibly a win. Throw Michigan and Daytona into that group, and that’s Wallace’s path to the postseason.
To make the playoffs on points, Bubba Wallace needs some more top-10s and maybe a top-5 or two as well. What he doesn’t need is a DNF or an early exit from Chicago, Indy Road Course, or Watkins Glen. Easier said than done.