New year, same old troubles for Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 team in the NASCAR Cup Series. After 25 races since the start of the season, Wallace hasn’t managed to park his race car in the victory lane and could miss out on the playoffs. Speed isn’t an issue for the #23 team; it’s just that they haven’t been able to execute their plans on the racetrack.

We have seen a frustrated Bubba Wallace in the past, who would be animated and full of emotions after a disappointing race. However, this year something has changed with the driver, as he appears to be calm and composed despite being stacked against the odds.

Bubba Wallace focusing on the positives amid the pressure situation

Last year Wallace was in a similar predicament to make the playoffs. Without a win and relying on points with one race to go in the regular season. Chris Buescher’s win at Daytona last year saw him advance to the playoffs, but 21 points adrift of the cutline, the odds are stacked against him this time around.

Rather than stressing out and throwing the kitchen sink in a last-ditch effort to salvage this season, Wallace has decided to take a back seat. This doesn’t mean he has given up hopes of turning a corner this year, but, essentially, he is just controlling the controllable.

“You just show up and race, which is what you did as a kid; that’s super important and that’s what I’ve been doing. It doesn’t mean I’m not as passionate, it doesn’t mean I’m not pis-ed off when we don’t win. It just means I get even hungrier, but in more of a positive mindset way. That just helps us flow naturally instead of pointing the blame,” Wallace said while speaking to Bob Pockrass.

Apart from his obligation to his race team, he is going to become a father. And this seemed to have added a new perspective to how he reacts to disappointments. “I’m in a very blessed and fortunate spot to be in the sport with this team and these people. And I got a baby on the way, so all the things you’ve mentioned it falls in that category. I can’t let one bad race ruin the rest of my year, so we show up.”

Bubba Wallace and the #23 team will bring their ‘A-game’ this weekend at Darlington Raceway. After all, they can still make the playoffs with a win, and the good thing for them is that they do not lack the race-winning speed. Tyler Reddick, in the #45 car, has managed to do that twice so far.

Will Wallace break his 68-race winning streak at Darlington?

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Things would have been easier for the #23 team if they had been inside the playoff bubble. 21 points off the 16th-place driver does put them in a sticky spot. Moreover, he is up against the likes of Chris Buescher and Ross Chastain to compete for those last playoff spots. But despite being sandwiched in this situation, Wallace’s good record at Darlington Raceway could come to his rescue.

Given that the 30-year-old driver hasn’t been to victory lane in his last 68 races, it is indeed hard to place a bet on him to win the Southern 500. However, he can rely on his good race finishes to collect those precious points that could land him a playoff berth. Wallace has straight top-10 finishes in his last five starts at the Darlington Raceway. He had a P7 finish during the spring race in 2024, so all he needs to do is keep both Buescher and Chastain at bay while crossing the start-finish line.

Again, this is only an educated guess; expect drama and surprises during the regular season finale race this weekend.