Denny Hamlin recently shared his thoughts on Bubba Wallace’s chances of making it into the NASCAR playoffs, emphasizing the specific results Wallace needs to achieve at Darlington. Following Harrison Burton’s unexpected victory at Daytona, the path to the playoffs has become even more challenging for Wallace. Burton, who was ranked 34th in points, secured his playoff spot with the win, adding more pressure on Wallace, a driver for 23XI Racing.
Currently, Wallace finds himself 21 points below the cutline, which means he needs to close that gap to secure his playoff position. As discussed by Hamlin and his co-host, Jared Allen, on the latest episode of the “Actions Detrimental” podcast, Wallace must outperform Chris Buescher by 21 points to advance to the playoffs.
Hamlin believes that Wallace closing this points gap is feasible. He highlighted a common trend at Darlington, known for its unpredictability, where typically 4-5 cars running up front encounter difficulties, affecting their performance. Hamlin explained that this could happen to anyone, and it’s an opportunity for Wallace to capitalize on.
“It can happen,” Hamlin stated. “So, I wouldn’t discount Bubba’s chances of going out there and having a great day. If he can secure a top 3 finish in each stage and end up in the top 3 overall, it would put immense pressure on others to avoid having a bad day.”
The conversation on the podcast also touched on the playoff format, particularly in light of Burton’s win at Daytona, which guaranteed him a playoff spot despite his low standing in the points. Allen asked Hamlin whether he had any issues with the current playoff system, given how it allowed a driver with such a low rank to leapfrog others who have been more consistent throughout the season.
Hamlin acknowledged the challenges and frustrations from an ownership perspective. He pointed out the irony that Wallace, who is currently 13th in the points standings, might be outperformed in playoff rankings by a driver who was previously 34th. Although Hamlin admitted that it’s a tough pill to swallow, he recognized that these are the rules they have to play by. He also emphasized the importance of focusing on winning to secure their position.
On a positive note, Hamlin expressed his satisfaction with Wallace’s recent performances. Despite being winless this season and facing elimination from the playoffs, Wallace has shown remarkable consistency. In the last seven races, he only finished outside the top 10 twice and has achieved five top-five finishes, marking one of the best periods of his Cup career.
Hamlin acknowledged Wallace’s recent form, stating, “It’s not sour grapes on my end that the #23 team is in this situation. I’m pleased with what I’m seeing in terms of performance right now. This is good, acceptable performance. I just hate that it’s come so late in the season, but they’re hitting their stride now. They’re running well.”
As the season comes down to the wire, all eyes will be on Bubba Wallace as he takes on the challenge at Darlington. To make the playoffs, Wallace must either win the race or outperform Chris Buescher by at least 26 points. The upcoming Southern 500 at Darlington will be a pivotal moment in Wallace’s season, determining whether his late-season surge will be enough to secure a spot in the playoffs. Hamlin’s confidence in his driver’s potential adds an extra layer of intrigue to this high-stakes race.
“It can happen” – Denny Hamlin maps out Bubba Wallace’s path to NASCAR playoffs
