
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 16: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #45 McDonald’s Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 16: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #45 McDonald’s Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Ever since his full-time Cup Series debut in 2018, things were just not working out for Bubba Wallace. Despite starting his first full-time season in the competition with a P2 finish at the Daytona 500, Wallace was never able to consistently fight for wins or make the playoffs. 2023 was different. Driving for 23XI Racing, the 30-year-old made the playoffs for the first time and finished 10th in the championship, his best result yet.
Any driver would be pleased with such a performance but Bubba Wallace is one of the most competitive men in the NASCAR Cup Series today. He was far from satisfied despite breaking into the playoffs for the first time. With that in mind, here is a deep dive into what 2024 could look like for the driver of the #23.
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Bubba Wallace will have to deal with rivalries and improve at the same time
The main objective is pretty obvious. Winning the Cup Series. Bubba Wallace has a lot of similarities with his boss, the 23XI Racing co-owner, Denny Hamlin. They’re both outspoken and championship-less. The 30-year-old will be looking to change that soon. Expecting to win the Cup Series in 2024 may be a bit of a stretch but finishing higher than 10th is a very achievable goal.
The #23 Camry XSE driver is aggressive and unapologetic. While he has worked on that aspect of his personality and tried to be more level-headed this year, Wallace has still made a few enemies. One of his most notable rivals is the 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson. The drivers were in a shoving contest in Las Vegas in 2022. Those two won’t be close friends anytime soon.
Besides, given Bubba’s track record, he can ignite a rivalry with pretty much anyone on track. Except perhaps his close friend and 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney. The 30-year-old will be looking to achieve what his close friend achieved this year. There is pressure on Wallace but he relishes the opportunity to race for 23XI Racing.
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“It’s just a confidence builder each and every weekend, knowing you have the car, the people, and the capability. It all adds up, and that’s what produces results. I’m trusting the process along the way,” he had said earlier this year as per Forbes. There is no doubt that the 30-year-old will be looking for more of the same come 2024.
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Expectations will be high at 23XI Racing in 2024
As a team, 23XI Racing will view 2023 as a transformative year. Both of their drivers made it into the playoffs and that will be something the team would want to be consistent with. With Toyota coming out with a new look Camry for the 2024 season, expectations will be high from both Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick.
As far as the near future is concerned, Wallace will be a part of 23XI Racing. The team has proven time and again in 2023 that it has what it takes to challenge for race wins. It’ll be interesting to see how Wallace approaches the next season after a successful 2023.
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Do you think the #23 driver will do a better job in 2024 than he did this year? Let us know your thoughts.
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