What a restart to the NASCAR season! The recent Richmond race was nothing short of a thriller. Have you ever seen a racer literally sweep through other drivers to get to the finish line? Austin Dillon did just that! You have got to feel it for Joey Logano. He did all he could to try and take the checkered flag, but an aggressive Dillion was set to win by hook or by crook. According to Jeff Gluck on X, Dillon was told on the radio to wreck Logano. Austin Dillon’s team radio had said, “I don’t care how you do it” before he hit Joey Logano and then “Wreck him! Wreck him!”

NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin was Dillion’s second target, but he did not suffer much damage as he finished in P2. The co-owner of 23XI has two more things to celebrate. One was the P3 finish of Tyler Reddick and the second was the P4 finish of Bubba Wallace. Bubba, however, did not appreciate the way Dillon raced as he opened up about it after the event.

Bubba Wallace reacts to the controversial Richmond race

Wallace is quite literally on an upward trajectory. His performance just keeps getting better and better with every race. His comeback journey started at the tricky triangle where he managed to get a 10th place finish. Then he crossed the mighty Brickyard finish line being in the 5th position and now he’s gotten a P4 in Richmond. Talking of his high, he also got a P2 in a recent Legends race that he played. If all goes well, Bubba can get a win before the playoff season. After his win at Richmond, he applauded his team and their efforts.

He said, “We have been really good here the last four races. Proud of the effort. Gotta keep fighting and continue to march on. Have fun.” In the interview, Bubba also divulged on the controversial finish to the race. What happened was that Dillon looked set for victory until a crash between Stenhouse Jr. and Preece brought out the caution flag, forcing overtime. Logano outmaneuvered Dillon on the restart, but Dillon retaliated by driving right into the back and spinning Logano. As Hamlin attempted to pass Dillon on the inside, Dillon made contact, sending Hamlin into the wall.

Bubba was disappointed with the way things ended in the race. He said, “So whatever it takes to win, I guess. I mean hey, he deserved it fair and square, that’s the hard thing, cause I was gonna man up and go up there and say congrats, can’t do that now, that was kinda BS.” 

Even after a P4, Bubba was not satisfied as he went on to talk about Richmond not being their best day. Previously also Bubba has spoken about how he doesn’t want to enter the playoffs winless. He’s been winless since the last season and is desperate to end the dry spell. However, if we assume he goes winless, what are his chances of qualifying for the playoffs?

Bubba Wallace’s playoff chances

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The Richmond race results have changed quite a lot of things when it comes to playoffs. Previously there were four vacant spots, after a new winner now there are only three, competition for which is fierce. Leading the bubble is Martin Truex Jr, who had a comfortable cushion with points, but with a DNF in Richmond, that cushion has become shorter. Followed by him is Ty Gibbs, in the 15th position and now the sixteenth spot is being held by Bubba Wallace.

The reason why Bubba said it wasn’t their best day at the Richmond is that, even after many consistent performances, Bubba is only +3 points clear of the playoff lines. Behind tied in -3 are Ross Chastain and Chris Buesher in 17th and 18th. Bubba needs a win to seal the deal as his 3-point cushion is very slim, which can drastically change in the next race. And if, like Richmond, we have a new winner in Michigan, this would get even tougher for the 23XI team.

Out of the next three races in Michigan, Daytona, and Darlington. Bubba’s best chance seems to be on the Darlington track where last year he managed a P7 finish. Bubba would look to convert that into a win. Currently, his chances of playoffs hang in the balance. What do you think his chances are? Let us know in the comments below.