It has been a season to forget so far for Bubba Wallace. In the first six races of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series, Wallace has only managed to finish in three of them. It only got worse last Sunday when he crashed into Kyle Larson and eventually saw his race end in just the 11th lap in Austin. Feeling demotivated, he publicly demanded to be replaced by his owners but recently his stance seems to have changed.
Wallace has always been a controversial figure throughout his career. His comments after the COTA race shocked the NASCAR world. However, recently he seems to have come to his senses following a well-wisher’s advice.
Bubba Wallace makes a u-turn with his “need to be replaced” comments after the race in COTA
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A lot has been expected of Wallace from the team’s owners and fans considering his potential. However, the 29-year-old was truly left devastated after the race in Austin. After the race, he explained how he did not want to go down the “slippery slope of self-doubt” but feels the “need to be replaced” given his rookie mistakes in two consecutive weeks.
However, with the help of one of his most trusted aides, Wallace seems to have changed his stance. Recently, speaking to Associated Press news, the Alabama-born driver looked much more composed. He said, “It’s day by day, right? Just got to be a better version of myself,” This sudden change in approach from him came from a bit of wise advice.
It was Wallace’s mother, who has always backed him, and once again shown him the light. The 23XI Racing driver said, “My mom had said to me, ‘You know, if you want things to change, you got to change yourself.’ So I’m just trying to change myself and be more active, working out, eating better, and just trying to have a better mindset so Richmond should be good for us.”
These are some really positive words from Wallace. In fact, it was not just his mom that’s backing him after the incident.
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Bubba Wallace is a popular figure in NASCAR despite the hatred he has received for his vocal approach. After the incident in Austin, when he demanded to be fired, one of his team’s top members voiced in his favor.
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Here is the incident between Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson: pic.twitter.com/Ny0Z4b92lX
— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) March 26, 2023
23XI Racing’s Team President Steve Lauletta posted a very comforting message for Wallace. It read, “This #23 @MoneyLion team and @BubbaWallace will fight and come back stronger with everyone’s support @23XIRacing #ForwardTogether #OneTeam.”
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Clearly, there is a belief from his team members in him to turn around his form. This only makes the race in Richmond a deal-breaker for Wallace. Can he make it count there? We shall know better soon.