Report: Bubba Wallace Secures Top-10 Finish Amid Gear Issues at World Wide Technology Raceway
Bubba Wallace finished eighth at the World Wide Technology Raceway, solidifying his position within striking distance of the NASCAR Cup Series postseason advancement. Despite potential victory, a gear malfunction during a critical restart marred his performance.
Wallace, driving for 23XI Racing, experienced a gear issue on the lap 156 restart while leading, which disrupted the field and allowed competitors Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to take control. “We had solid execution all day…that little restart mishap got stuck in between gears,” Wallace explained, reflecting on the lost opportunity.
Ending with 85 points earned over two postseason races, Wallace currently sits fourth on the provisional playoff grid, 50 points above the cut-off. Despite the frustration of missing out on a possible win, Wallace expressed satisfaction with his team’s overall performance, stating, “If you had told me that we would lead laps and be one of the cars to maybe win today after practice, I would have said, ‘[Heck] no.’”
Leading 73 laps and winning the second stage, Wallace’s race highlighted both the potential and challenges his team faces. The pit strategy late in the race was impacted by an additional caution with 33 laps remaining, preventing Wallace from recovering to regain the lead.
Looking ahead, Wallace emphasized the importance of refining restart tactics to avoid similar setbacks in the future. As the postseason progresses, his team stands poised for further success if they can build on this strong foundation.
