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AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 27: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 leidos Toyota, waves to fans onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Echopark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 27, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 27: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 leidos Toyota, waves to fans onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Echopark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 27, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
This weekend, the NASCAR paddock heads to the Kansas Speedway for the next race on the calendar. However, news broke that Stewart Friesen would be a bit delayed in making it to Kansas. This was because Friesen’s flight to Kansas was delayed several times and then cancelled altogether. Since he would not be able to make it in time for practice or qualifying, the team roped in Bubba Wallace.
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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – AUGUST 07: Stewart Friesen, driver of the #52 Halmar International Toyota, walks the grid prior tothe NASCAR Camping World Truck Series United Rentals 176 at Watkins Glen International on August 07, 2021 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
He said, “Soon as I landed, ‘Hey we need someone to drive the #52 truck, just practice and qualifying’. The racer in me is like, ‘Hell yeah!’, but its not that easy. We have appearances that we have to get through. You got to go through hoops and boundaries and all that stuff to clear, but I think we all got the okays. I was actually surprise how close the seat was. We didn’t even have to move the pedals or the wheel, so pretty good. He [Stewart Friesen] is way taller than me, but the way the truck cockpit is, I bet he’s crammed in there, where I’ll be all relaxed.”
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READ MORE: WATCH: Chase Elliott Loses It as Bubba Wallace Brings Out the “Wreck-Tangle”
What lies ahead for Bubba Wallace?
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Honestly speaking, it is a little odd that Wallace can get to practice and qualify. Then on race day, he can hand over the truck to Friesen when he finally arrives at the speedway. However, it appears that things work out that way in NASCAR. Speaking of Friesen, his latest update said that he had reached Chicago on a connecting flight.
WATCH STORY: 23XI Racing Owner Michael Jordan Betting Against His OWN Driver Bubba Wallace
Well made it to Chicago, but flight out this morning was late because of a check engine light on, so of coarse missed connection. Rebooked on another but will miss practice for sure. Unreal.
— Stewart Friesen (@StewartFriesen) May 14, 2022
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Unfortunately, the flight to Kansas was late, owing to issues with his road vehicle. Naturally, he missed that flight, but has confirmed that he booked another flight. The bad news is that the prospect of him being on time from practice was definitely off the cards. So, Bubba Wallace will have to suit up in his stead and drive the truck. Beyond that, he will also have to be prepared for his Cup Series race with 23XI Racing.
