As Tyler Reddick bested Kyle Larson by a single level within the struggle for the common season title, his teammate Bubba Wallace was in a much more precarious place. The motive force of the No. 23 Toyota began the Southern 500 from pole place and was in a position to shut right down to inside 11 factors of the sixteenth and last playoff spot by way of the primary two levels. However because the race went on, the battle to make the playoffs turned extra daunting.
A number of must-win drivers emerged close to the entrance of the sphere as Wallace did all he may to maintain Chris Buescher at bay within the factors struggle. Sadly, his probabilities took a extreme hit with simply over 20 laps to go. A multi-car accident left Wallace with nowhere to go, getting hit on three sides as he joined the crash scene. 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan appeared on in dismay as Wallace’s playoff hopes shortly light.
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing, U.S. Air Drive Toyota Camry
Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
“We simply received behind on changes,” lamented Wallace. “We had been backwards and forwards on our Toyota Camry. Just a bit too free, just a little too tight. And that warning with a pair laps on tires the place we stayed out, I don’t know if that was the deciding issue, however we simply received so tight there and received again there in visitors and in a spot we hadn’t been all day and received caught up another person’s mess. It’s unlucky. I hate it for our guys. Hats off to the 14 [Chase Briscoe]. I assumed I did one thing yesterday, they one-upped us and confirmed up when it was sport time in order that’s fairly badass so congrats to them.
“Man, simply wasn’t adequate for sixteenth this yr. I hate that. It stinks saying that, however it wasn’t for a scarcity of effort from all of us on the 23 automobile. Better of luck to the 45 [Tyler Reddick] and hopefully a Toyota wins.”
Wallace finally completed sixteenth after main 37 laps. On the checkered flag, he was 27 factors away from making the playoffs. The ultimate spot went to fellow Toyota driver, Ty Gibbs.
Regardless of Sunday’s end result and the winless season, statistically talking, 2024 may very well be Wallace’s greatest yr but within the Cup Collection. With ten races to go, he has already equaled his top-fives and top-tens from the 2022 and 2023 seasons. His common end is healthier than it has ever been, however in contrast to final yr, he was unable to level his method into the playoffs this time round.
“Gotta sit and dwell on it, (throughout Labor Day), however hopefully no conferences. You bought 4 or 5 days to reset and go on to — the place are we going subsequent? I do not even know. Exhibits how psychological this race was, however might be tremendous.”
Reddick’s recommendation
Whereas celebrating his common season title, Reddick took a second to touch upon his teammate lacking out, however mentioned he wished to maintain most of it “between me and him.”
“It is powerful. I have been in his spot. It is not enjoyable to be that shut and simply miss it, man. It is powerful to return and look. You’ll be able to decide aside the races every weekend. We gave up factors right here or there. It is a powerful factor. For them, if they only undergo the remainder of this, deal with persevering with to enhance that consistency, they’re going to be higher off for subsequent yr.
“On the finish of the day, although, there’s just a few issues you possibly can’t management, man. I really feel like loads of instances this yr they have been proper in the course of stuff occurring on the racetrack. A number of instances this yr, I do not know tips on how to clarify it, when issues have occurred on the racetrack, I’ve missed it and been in a position to profit from it … They’ve an incredible alternative right here over the remainder of this yr to reload and be able to go for subsequent time.”
