The 2024 playoffs at Bristol have officially kicked off, and after a relatively smooth race, the top 12 drivers have emerged. Among them is the seasoned NASCAR veteran, Denny Hamlin, who made a strong comeback. Entering the race in the elimination zone, Hamlin finished in an impressive 4th place at Bristol, positioning himself 6th overall in the playoffs standings. It was a good day not just for Hamlin but for his 23XI Racing team as well. Tyler Reddick, the regular-season champion, advanced to the next round, ranking as the third-highest seed. Meanwhile, Bubba Wallace continues to shine in what has been the best season of his career.
Starting the race from 11th place, Wallace quickly pushed his way into the top 10 and held his ground throughout the event. He ended the first stage in 10th and climbed up to 6th in the second. During the final stage, Wallace steadily advanced, eventually securing 3rd place—an impressive feat, especially as he finished ahead of his teammate Hamlin. This top-5 result marks Wallace’s sixth of the season, adding to his tally of 11 top-10 finishes.
These numbers represent the best stats of Wallace’s eight-year career in the NASCAR Cup Series. With an average finish of 15.86 this season, Wallace is currently enjoying his most successful run yet. Despite this, he wasn’t entirely satisfied with how his car performed at Bristol. However, he was thrilled to continue what has undoubtedly been his best season to date.
Reflecting on the race, Wallace said, “It was a good day. Didn’t really think we were a third-place car, but we just battled. We stayed in it together. Our Mobil 1 Toyota Camry was okay, just trying to make do, trying to keep pace. We definitely couldn’t run hard at the beginning, so I changed up some techniques. With about 20 laps to go, I figured it wasn’t going to work out in our favor, but luckily, it did. All in all, it was a good day, a good top-5 finish. Hey, our stats show this is our best year yet. We’ve got six top-5s and eleven top-10s. So yeah, a good day.”
Wallace’s season has been a rollercoaster, with a blend of highs and lows. Early in the year, he delivered back-to-back top-5 finishes at Daytona and Atlanta, showcasing his potential. However, a dip in form followed, with several races ending in less-than-remarkable finishes. Fortunately, Wallace found his rhythm again after Pocono and carried that momentum through to the regular season finale at Darlington. In the span of six races, he secured two top-5s and four top-10s, proving that he was back in the game, even if he ultimately fell short of a victory.
Analyzing his performance track by track, Wallace has delivered consistently solid results across various circuits. Before his strong showing at Bristol, he had already earned top-5 finishes at short tracks like Martinsville and Richmond. On most superspeedways, Wallace has been a force, regularly finishing in the top 10. Even on road courses, where he’s generally less dominant, he’s managed to grab top-15 finishes. Overall, Wallace’s racecraft has improved significantly this season, but despite his progress, he hasn’t won a race since October 2022. Even his teammate, Hamlin, has noted that Wallace needs to step it up and push harder to claim that elusive win.
This season has clearly been a breakthrough year for Wallace, but the pressure is still on. While he’s set personal records and shown that he can consistently finish at the front, the ultimate goal—a victory—still eludes him. As the playoffs continue, Wallace has a chance to turn this already impressive season into something even bigger. Whether he can maintain his form and find that extra gear remains to be seen, but for now, he’s certainly a driver to watch as the competition heats up. With a mix of skill, determination, and a bit of luck, Wallace could very well end his winless streak and cement his place among NASCAR’s elite.
Bubba Wallace Opens Up About His ‘Best Season Ever’ Despite Playoff Misstep.
