The NASCAR Cup Series regular season comes down to a nail-biting finish this Sunday at Darlington Raceway, where drivers who haven’t yet secured a playoff spot will have one final opportunity to do so. The stakes are high, as only the top 16 drivers in the standings will advance to the playoffs. A win during the regular season guarantees a spot, but for those without a victory, their fate depends on their position in the standings.
As the season winds down, Bubba Wallace and his No. 23 team from 23XI Racing find themselves in a precarious position. Currently 13th in the standings, Wallace is projected to be 17th and just outside the playoff cutoff if the season were to end today. Despite a solid sixth-place finish at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Wallace knows his playoff hopes are still on the line.
In a recent appearance on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, Wallace opened up about his mindset heading into this pivotal race, as well as the guidance he received from none other than his team co-owner, NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Michael Jordan texted @BubbaWallace some encouraging words that everyone should hear. 🔥
"The things you want more, cost more."🐐 pic.twitter.com/XbuOlFdXsz
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) August 27, 2024
“There’s two sides of it coming out of Daytona: You’re bummed. You’re pissed off. You did what you’re supposed to do. We out-raced [Ross Chastain in] the 1 car, and we have a six-point, seven-point cushion to him. But we had a new winner [with Harrison Burton], so it’s like the goalpost moved again,” Wallace shared, expressing the emotional rollercoaster he’s been on.
He then recounted Jordan’s words of wisdom: “I had MJ text me, and he says, ‘The things you want more cost more.’ All day yesterday and all day, in the middle of the night, I’m telling myself, ‘Just try to go out and have the best race you’ve ever had in your life.’ It’s just showing up, me doing all that I can. Take out the outside factors. That’s how I’m approaching it. I woke up in a much better mood this morning.”
Wallace also emphasized the importance of managing stress, particularly as he prepares for such a crucial race. Reflecting on his experience from last year, he noted, “Last year, I went into Daytona really stressed out. … I think for Daytona, you can get by with that. But I think if it was Darlington, I would have crashed Lap 2. Taking a deep breath, understanding where we’re at — we’re not out of it by any means. If you out-run the guys you’re racing, then you should beat them. But we have to do a little bit extra work, and I’m excited to roll the sleeves up and do that.”
As the regular season finale approaches, all eyes will be on Wallace as he aims to secure his place in the playoffs. The Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, set for Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on USA Network, promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the regular season, with Wallace determined to make every lap count.
