As the NASCAR season hurtles toward its climax, the formidable obstacle of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 looms large, a critical barrier standing in the path of securing a coveted playoff spot. With just one solitary opening remaining for the forthcoming playoffs’ round of 16, it’s the 23XI driving sensation, Bubba Wallace, who tightly clutches onto this precious position, is aware that the winds of change could sweep it away.

The impending Daytona race holds the potential to crown a fresh victor which, in turn, could unravel Wallace’s tenacious grip. For Wallace, the goal transcends mere victory; it’s a fight to keep the position beyond the reach of Joe Gibbs Racing’s rising star, Ty Gibbs. The recent podcast episode unfurled a trove of revelations, and discussions surrounding the intricacies of the scenario that Bubba currently finds himself enmeshed within.

Bubba Wallace’s tactical play, defending against Joe Gibbs’s offensive

During the podcast, the question was posed, “What’s the strategy if you guys are Bubba Wallace in this race? Freddie [Kraft] alluded to the fact that it’s gonna be survival till the end. You might not see him necessarily hanging out in the front of the pack. How do you approach this race if you guys are Bubba Wallace?”

Following this, the hosts delved into the strategic options for Bubba Wallace ahead of the upcoming race. With a playoff spot hanging in the balance, the focus is on survival rather than leading the pack. They contemplated team owner Denny Hamlin‘s unique insight, which involved tying Wallace’s fate to Ty Gibbs’ bumper – implying that staying close behind Gibbs could provide a safer position.

“Denny had an interesting insight on this. Denny said you tie your bumper to Ty Gibbs’s front or back. I think he was basically saying that behind him is better. He goes, ‘If Ty wrecks, you wreck.'”

They further agreed that Wallace should concentrate on defending against immediate threats rather than attempting any risky overtakes, especially if he’s already ahead of Gibbs by a slim margin. The discussion also highlighted that only JGR’s Ty Gibbs and Daniel Suarez hold the chance to secure a playoff spot based on points.

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“Race around the people you most immediately need to defend against. Let’s say Bubba’s in front of Gibbs by 1 spot. There’s no need for Bubba to try and make a crazy move and get around some drivers. But in terms of just worrying about the points that you have, you just stay right with Gibbs. Gibbs and Suarez are the only two that can mathematically point their way in.”

The past week has been a whirlwind of strategy advice for Bubba and particularly notable among the voices is Denny Hamlin, whose stance has seen a remarkable shift in allegiance. Just a month ago, Hamlin stood united with Chase Elliott‘s fanbase, rallying for a common cause.

Twists of allegiance as NASCAR’s rising star left in the dust

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Hamlin declared, “Chase Elliott fans, let’s hold hands. We’re gonna unite, and we’re gonna will this thing to happen for you guys. I’m gonna die on this hill.” However, with the playoffs looming large, Hamlin’s tune shifted drastically.

In a recent episode of his podcast ‘Actions Detrimental,’ Hamlin not only defended Bubba Wallace’s pursuit of a playoff berth but also pushed NASCAR’s poster boy under the bus. Hamlin ‘selfishly’ wished for Wallace’s success,

“I think that selfishly we would like him to gain 39 points on the #9 [Chase Elliott] as a team owner, but I’m rooting for Bubba. I want him to run whatever race he needs to get himself into the playoffs. I think he deserves it. I think he’s working really hard. You saw the emotion that he had after Watkins Glen. That emotion stems from someone who is working really, really hard, and he’s finally seeing results.”

With debates still ongoing, attention now shifts to race weekend, where the question looms: Can Wallace convert these strategies and support into asphalt triumph?

Watch The Story: Denny Hamlin Warns Bubba Wallace To Watch Out Amid Creeping Playoff Desperation