Bubba Wallace experienced a challenging weekend during the NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire, resulting in what he described as his longest and worst race day recently. The difficult outing led to a disappointing P26 finish for Wallace, a result that left both the driver and his team frustrated after entering the race confident. The Bubba Wallace New Hampshire finish proved to be a major setback for Wallace and his 23XI Racing team, raising questions about their competitiveness going forward.
Disappointment Strikes Toyota Drivers Across the Board
The Toyota teams, including Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and 23XI Racing, had all been optimistic coming into the New Hampshire race following a strong performance at R-16. However, all five TRD playoff drivers struggled significantly on race day. Bubba Wallace, piloting the No. 23 Camry, faced the toughest challenge, finishing 26th. His teammates Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst also had poor results, ending the race at 21st and 22nd respectively. This collective underperformance surprised the teams, as track conditions and car balance issues hindered their ability to find speed and maintain a competitive stance.
Wallace Opens Up About His Difficult Day on Track
In his post-race interview, Wallace did not mince words about the struggles he faced behind the wheel. He described the day as a “head scratcher,” explaining that he was unable to find a proper setup or handling balance during practice or the race itself. According to Wallace, the car’s handling problems from the start of the weekend prevented him from building any momentum. His inability to extract pace from the car contributed significantly to his long and frustrating time on the track.
“Yeah. That was the longest day I’ve had in a racecar in a long time, Dylan. Just a head scratcher, and that’s how it really was the start of the weekend. You know, in practice, I didn’t really know which way to handle the balance. I thought we were neutral. We obviously fired off and didn’t have much to speak for.” Bubba Wallace said via NBC Sports broadcast (On3.com).
Wallace’s comments showed deep frustration, as the balance issues left him unable to race effectively, turning what should have been a competitive run into a struggle just to maintain pace.
Team Efforts Fall Short Amid Tough Track Conditions
Wallace expressed his disappointment not only for himself but also on behalf of the entire 23XI Racing team. All three drivers failed to crack the top 20, a rare occurrence that reflected the difficulty they faced adjusting to New Hampshire’s tricky track surface. Wallace noted that the track conditions caught everyone by surprise, making it nearly impossible for the team to find the right setup or speed to contend.
“So, I hate that. It looks like our whole team struggled just to find the speed and the feel that we needed. I said it before, this is a tricky place, but to be that far off, that kinda caught all of us by surprise.” Bubba Wallace added.
This collective underperformance underscored that the team’s struggles were not isolated to Wallace but reflected broader challenges at New Hampshire.
Wallace Credits Pit Crew Despite Poor Race Outcome
Even though the overall weekend was disappointing, Wallace acknowledged the hard work of his pit crew, crediting them with strong execution during pit stops. He emphasized that while the pit crew succeeded in gaining spots on pit road when necessary, the car itself did not respond during the race. Wallace vowed to keep pushing forward despite the poor result, looking ahead to the next race with determination.
“But I appreciate the team. Pit crew did a good job of getting us spots on pit road when it mattered, and we threw everything at it, just never reacted the way we wanted it to. So, I hate it. But all you can do is keep your head down and keep on digging next week.” Bubba Wallace asserted.
The upcoming race at Kansas, where Wallace claimed a victory in 2022, is now the driver’s clear focus as he seeks to regain momentum in the playoffs.
Wallace Details When His Race Momentum Disappeared
In a separate conversation reflecting on the race, Wallace revealed that aside from the initial five laps, his day never improved. He explained that after a caution period on lap five, his momentum vanished and his performance plateaued, effectively ending any chance of a strong finish. The 2025 Brickyard 400 champion admitted this lull crushed his early optimism and made the race “a miss all around” for both him and the team.
“Just a miss all around really. We couldn’t really seem to get things going. Our best run lasted for five laps, the caution came out, and then it was just right back to no good. I hate it. I felt really optimistic and marched forward at the start, and it just never really went anywhere. We kind of plateaued on Lap 5, and that was it. I hate that.” Bubba Wallace said.
His words highlighted the extent of his frustration with how the New Hampshire race unfolded and the missed opportunities he felt after a promising start.
Implications for Wallace and 23XI Racing’s Playoff Hopes
Bubba Wallace’s poor finish at New Hampshire currently places him as the lowest-ranked driver in the playoff standings after R-12. This setback intensifies the pressure on both Wallace and his 23XI Racing team to improve performance in the remaining races if they are to advance into the next playoff round, known as the R-8. The New Hampshire outcome may serve as a crucial turning point, pushing the team to reassess strategies and car setups ahead of the final stretch of the season.
The team’s struggles at New Hampshire contrasted sharply with their dominant runs earlier in the season, signaling that adjustments will be essential to remain competitive. How Wallace and his teammates respond in the next two races will likely determine their trajectory in the playoffs and impact their championship aspirations.
