“Earn Your Way In” – Hendrick Motorsports Legend Shares His Advice for 23XI Driver Bubba Wallace as He Hopes to Cement a Playoff Spot

As the NASCAR Cup Series regular season draws to a thrilling close, the spotlight is on Bubba Wallace, #23 Toyota Camry driver for 23XI Racing. The battle for a coveted playoff spot has intensified with only five races remaining. Following Denny Hamlin’s triumph at Pocono, the playoff picture has seen some shifts, and Wallace finds himself in a precarious position. With competitors hot on his heels, the challenges of the road courses loom large. 

As the playoffs draw near, NASCAR fans eagerly anticipate the twists and turns of the remaining of the regular season. NASCAR analyst and HMS veteran recently shared his views on how Wallace’s team should proceed with upcoming races.

Hendrick Motorsports legend’s strategy may just fulfill Bubba Wallace’s playoff aspirations

The pressure on Bubba Wallace is palpable as the remaining races include two road courses. As his competitors boast strong road racing skills, Wallace needs to step up his game to match them. The likes of AJ Allmendinger and Ty Gibbs are renowned for their expertise on these tracks, and Daniel Suarez is no slouch either. For Wallace, this means finishing the road courses and finding ways to be competitive and earn valuable points.

In light of all this, we heard Steve Letarte, former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief, spoke about the strategy Wallace’s crew chief should adopt.

While advising the #23 team to play to their strength and focus on Richmond and Michigan rather than the road courses, he said, “If you want to be a star man, it’s time to be a star. I would be putting it on his shoulder, and I would say we’re going to Richmond; we’re going to Michigan. If you want to make the playoffs, earn your way in!”

“Don’t Ho hum!! It didn’t happen on the road courses.”

“I would take a totally different approach with the driver of the #23!”

Amidst the road course challenge, Letarte spoke about what he would do as Bootie Barker, Bubba Wallace’s crew chief. Rather than stressing about immediate road course improvements, Barker should focus on leveraging Wallace’s strengths. Steve believes they can outperform rivals like Michael McDowell and Daniel Suarez at Richmond and Michigan. By setting a big stage for Wallace and instilling a star mentality, Barker should push his driver to seize the opportunity and earn his way into the playoffs.

WATCH THIS STORY: 23XI Co-Owner Denny Hamlin Favors Rivals Trackhouse Racing Driver Over His Own Driver Bubba Wallace

With rivals like Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman right on his tail, Michael Jordan’s driver seems way more relaxed than he should be.

Bubba Wallace goes on off-track pursuits to heighten his focus

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Although Wallace and Michael McDowell have gained some points cushion, they know that a single misstep can cost them dearly. Pocono saw how quickly fortunes can change as Suarez’s playoff hopes took a hit. The challenge now is maintaining composure and avoiding costly mistakes in the coming races.

When asked about his position, just two points above the playoff cutoff line ahead of the final Qualifying at Pocono, the 23XI Racing driver appeared unshaken.

He revealed that he prefers not to dwell on the pressure and instead enjoys life outside the racetrack. “A lot of people kind of live under the pressure, or some people try to escape. I’m, I guess it depends which way the wind blows,” Wallace casually stated.

From relaxing in Miami to rubbing shoulders with DJ Khaled, Wallace finds solace in stepping away from the racing frenzy, gaining the much-needed mental clarity to focus on the challenges ahead.

For Bubba Wallace, the stakes have never been higher. This pivotal moment in his career demands a superstar performance. With the pressure building, Wallace must rise to the occasion and showcase his skills on the track. The upcoming races offer him a chance to silence doubts and secure his spot among the drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

READ MORE: “I Got My C**p Together”: Bubba Wallace Reveals His Most Formidable Rival in Candid Self Reflection