The 23XI Racing team has two polar sides at the moment. At the brighter end of the Cup team. Tyler Reddick is waiting to excel in the playoff races. But at the gloomier end, Bubba Wallace is painfully enduring a battle to break into the playoffs. He recently got hit with a massive penalty of $50,000 for a run-in with Alex Bowman last weekend.

However, Wallace is back with a fresh perspective on his bleak situation. He is looking forward to a good Pocono outing, as the No. 23 crew chief recently revealed to EssentiallySports journalist Bharat Aggarwal in an exclusive at the Pocono Raceway. And now, a NASCAR veteran has also come to lift Bubba’s drooping spirits.

How did Kevin Harvick’s words revamp Bubba Wallace’s mood?

Around this time last year, Bubba Wallace stamped his ticket into the NASCAR Cup Championship playoffs. However, the 2024 season has yet to spell better fortune for the 23XI driver. Currently standing 45 points below the playoff cutline, Wallace needs to get on a war footing. To make matters worse, he landed in NASCAR’s bad books in Chicago. After Alex Bowman slid his car into Wallace on lap 25 while trying to get his windshield wiper working, Wallace answered back.

During the post-race cooldown lap, Bubba Wallace sped up to Bowman’s side and aggressively pushed him into the wall. In a press conference, Wallace explained that his long-road course efforts made him retaliate. “I’ve been putting my heart and soul into getting better spending time with the team and sim, and trying to be better…Chicago, that was our best road course race ever. And to have that wiped out in two corners when the conditions changed over messing with switches…When all that gets ripped away, you feel some type of entitlement to show your frustration.”

Then Bowman’s victory stung Wallace even more. It’s just three or four slaps on your face when you’re working your ass off to be better for the team. NASCAR’s penalty felt even more harsh in this circumstance. However, a chance encounter with Kevin Harvick at the Legends Summer Shootout race slightly uplifted the situation. “I will say I got my media training from Kevin Harvick,” Wallace told the media.

Harvick tried to lighten Bubba Wallace’s heavy mood and also offered precious advice. “He told me to show up with a smile on my face and accept it. So here’s my smile. I might not agree with the penalty, but I’m smiling about it. He also told me a lot of powerful things – to show up and be the fun-loving guy that I am throughout the week.”

The Cup driver-turned-broadcaster said golden words that had a further impact on Bubba Wallace. He is approaching Pocono with a fresh mindset and healed relationships.

Wallace is turning over a new leaf

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Chicago’s wash-up was not the first time Bubba Wallace had beef with Alex Bowman. In a 2019 Charlotte race, Wallace splashed water on a sick Bowman after the latter bumped into him. That conflict took time to die down. But now, both Bowman and Wallace have readily tried to amend relations. The Hendrick Motorsports driver immediately acquitted Wallace of any wrongdoing, apologizing for his mid-race mistake.

Then the 23XI driver also talked it over with his rival. “[Alex Bowman] texted me, ‘Hey man, sorry, immediately locked up.’ He didn’t mention anything about switches until he got on TV,” Wallace said, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “He’s like, ‘If there’s any consolation, my s**t’s destroyed too.’ And I texted him after the race, ‘Yeah, real destroyed, nice job on the win.’ So, we’re good.”

Bubba Wallace also admitted he needs to turn over a new page for his loved ones. “I’ve been miserable for years, walking around with a persona that I’m not proud of. I need to apologize to a lot of people, especially that are close to me.” He mentioned his wife, as the couple is expecting a bundle of joy soon. “My apologies (to my wife) because I wasn’t the best husband. I made her feel like she had to walk on eggshells after bad races.”

Evidently, Kevin Harvick’s talk had deeper ripples of impact on Bubba Wallace. Hopefully, he can pluck up the courage and face the next few races on a strong note.