Do you think the third time will be the charm for Bubba Wallace in his third year with Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s team? This is perhaps the next burning question after the hopes of entering the playoffs have dwindled for Chase Elliott. The No. 23 Toyota driver, although he stands in the 16th and final position of the post-season standings, has yet to notch a victory in the season.
Averting wrecks and trying to rise above the pit-road mistakes, Bubba Wallace in the 2023 Cup Series has assuredly taken the reigns of his fate. However, with the season drawing to a conclusion, the driver is still elusive of a win, thus situating him in a precarious position. With just one race left on the calendar, it’s a do-or-die situation for Wallace.
However, compared to the No. 1 Toyota Tundra driver, his teammate Tyler Reddick has positioned himself in a safer zone after a victory at COTA. Due to this fact, Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s emerging star driver seems to entice his teammate in his interview with MRN Crew Call.
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Michael Jordan’s prodigy spills the beans on Bubba Wallace’s playoff position
The 2023 Cup Series did not start on the right note for the Michael Jordan-owned team’s No. 23 Toyota driver, Bubba Wallace. Being embroiled in a series of on-track incidents, the driver was on the receiving end of criticism from the NASCAR community.
Nevertheless, the P16 does not confirm Wallace’s ticket to the post-season given the driver has yet to notch a victory, and the last saving grace is the season’s ultimate race at Daytona. With a 32-point lead over Ty Gibbs, the driver would surely be trying to acquire a win or perhaps wish for one of the playoff-locked drivers to seize another victory.
On the contrary, the No. 1 Toyota Tundra driver’s teammate Tyler Reddick seems to be in a stable position after locking himself in the playoffs due to the virtue of a win in the COTA. Moreover, his nonchalant demeanor towards his teammate was evident in his conversation with MRN Crew Call hosts.
Speaking on Bubba Wallace’s uncertain position, the No. 45 Toyota Camry driver expressed, “Yeah, I will be crazy for sure, a lot of the drivers that are not locked in are capable of winning there. From my side, I am safe for the most part and just try to win as many stage points between here and there.”
“From Bubba’s point of view, it’s like collecting stage points, they are doing their part and getting their part are getting safer from that zone.”
Watch this Story: Denny Hamlin Warns Bubba Wallace To Watch Out Amid Creeping Playoff Desperation
But we were in that position a few years ago and it’s one of the most stressful three hours of your life. Feels like never gonna end, feels like it’s gonna come apart at any moment,” Reddick asserted. Despite only being in his 4th season in NASCAR Reddick is quickly becoming a popular figure in the racing community, and his thoughts on the Bubba Wallace fiasco only furthers our understanding that he has a keen understanding of what it takes to be on the winning team.
Bubba Wallace expresses his views on his favorable road course position
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Bubba Wallace is surely taking baby yet steady steps in the right direction. This was evident on Sunday’s road course race in Watkins Glen. Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s No.23 whose forte has never been a road course was able to finish P12. That being said, he seems full of zest to fix the holes in his game.
After a favorable race, Bubba Wallace in the post-race interview expressed, “I’m proud of myself. That’s the first time I’ve felt proud of myself after a road-course race. I just executed and didn’t lose focus, maybe one time, and that’s a difference-maker. You’ve got to stay on it, especially at these places.”
Read More: Chase Elliott Defender Denny Hamlin Throws HMS Superstar Under the Bus for Bubba Wallace
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Disclosing the facts on his conversation with IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, Bubba Wallace revealed, “It’s hard when you climb in at a road-course race and tell yourself that you’re going to crash and you’re going to suck. He basically told me to shut the hell up and I’m here for a reason and to trust in myself and believe in myself.”
With just one race left, Daytona would be the deciding factor for Bubba Wallace and the other drivers who are still hoping for the playoffs. It will be interesting to see who turns out to be the lucky one and grab the last seat in the post-season.