NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace recently opened up about his performance in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, which capped off the first round of the 2024 playoffs. Wallace, behind the wheel of the #23 Toyota for 23XI Racing, has faced numerous challenges this season, including early setbacks and multiple on-track incidents. However, as the season progressed, Wallace managed to find his stride, delivering increasingly solid performances. Despite his best efforts, Wallace narrowly missed out on securing a spot in the 2024 playoffs.
Wallace began the Bristol Night Race in the 6th row, starting at P11, and managed to finish in the top ten in the first two stages. By the third stage, Wallace had found himself among the frontrunners, ultimately securing an impressive third-place podium finish. Following the race, Wallace reflected on his performance during an interview with PRN Live’s Brett McMillan. He shared his thoughts on what it meant for him and his team, stating, “It’s good. I told Bootie, I said we’re a 7th-12th place car. Still not good enough, gotta get two spots better, but still best in class in multiple categories. Makes you hungry for next year.”
Despite the disappointment of missing the playoffs, Wallace’s strong showing in the race highlights his potential for the future. His team, 23XI Racing, was one of only two teams that declined to sign the new charter agreement for the 2025 season, sparking some speculation about the future of the team and Wallace’s position. However, 23XI Racing recently put those concerns to rest by announcing a contract extension for Wallace, showing their confidence in the driver who has been with the team since its inception.
23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and active NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin, fields two cars in the Cup Series. Alongside Wallace’s #23 Toyota, Tyler Reddick drives the #45 car. Reddick has had a standout season, securing the regular season championship and currently competing for the Cup Series title. While Wallace’s season may not have been as successful as Reddick’s, his recent performances have demonstrated that he still has the potential to remain a competitive driver in the Cup Series.
The new charter agreement has been a point of contention between NASCAR and 23XI Racing. While many speculated that Wallace’s contract extension was tied to the team’s stance on the charter, the team’s decision to extend his contract signals a clear commitment to his future with them, despite the uncertainties surrounding the agreement.
Following the announcement of Wallace’s contract extension, Denny Hamlin shared his expectations for the upcoming season. During a pre-race interview at Bristol Motor Speedway, Hamlin made it clear that the bar is set high for Wallace and the #23 team. Hamlin stated, “The #23 team needs to make the Playoffs every year. I think that is our expectation, and then make a deep run and finish in the top 10 in points. That is kind of our expectation of kind of where we are at. Just getting in, it is hard for me to say that is the only expectation, but it is an expectation, given the standards we are giving ourselves. He knows that he needs to get better. I think he has gotten better.”
Hamlin’s comments reflect the belief that Wallace still has room to grow and improve, but they also acknowledge that the driver has made progress in his time with 23XI Racing. Hamlin, who himself had to fight to secure his position in the playoffs, finished the Bristol race in P4, right behind Wallace, and advanced to the next round of the playoffs. The fact that Hamlin and Wallace both performed well at Bristol reinforces the idea that 23XI Racing is on the rise, even in the face of challenges.
As Wallace looks ahead to the 2025 season, he’ll be carrying the lessons learned from this year, coupled with the pressure to meet the high expectations set by his team. His recent performance at Bristol is a reminder of his talent, and with the backing of 23XI Racing, Wallace is poised to continue growing as a Cup Series driver. Fans of Wallace and the sport will no doubt be watching closely to see how he builds on his momentum moving forward.
Bubba Wallace “hungry for next year” after top 5 finish at Bristol
