After an intense and physical showdown with Alex Bowman in the closing laps of Sunday’s Chicago Street Race, Bubba Wallace remains precariously positioned in the NASCAR playoff standings. With just seven races remaining before the 16-driver NASCAR Cup Series playoff field is finalized, Wallace must hold on amid fierce competition.
Wallace’s battle with Bowman, who eventually spun him out after trading close contact, highlights the tension near the playoff cutline. Although Bowman holds a slightly safer spot, both drivers, along with others near the playoff bubble, cannot afford to ease off given how tightly packed the points remain.
Bubba Wallace Holds Tight to the Last Playoff Spot by a Narrow Margin
Heading into the Chicago Street Course race, Bubba Wallace occupied the 16th and final playoff position, leading Ryan Preece by 23 points. However, after a challenging race, Wallace’s advantage over Preece shrank dramatically to just two points, putting his playoff hopes under significant pressure.
Just behind Preece sits AJ Allmendinger, nicknamed “The Dinger,” who gained ground after finishing sixth on the Chicago streets, moving past Erik Jones in the standings. Allmendinger trails Wallace by 43 points, while Erik Jones now finds himself further back in the playoff race.
Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, also moved ahead of Jones with a strong fifth-place finish. Busch is three points behind Allmendinger, four points ahead of Jones, and 46 points shy of Wallace’s precarious leading position.
Because drivers can earn up to 60 race points in most upcoming events, Preece, Allmendinger, Busch, and Jones remain well within striking distance of Wallace’s spot in the playoffs, making the battle for that last position very much alive.
Drivers Above Wallace Face Pressure as Playoff Cutline Tightens
While Bubba Wallace clings to the final playoff berth by the narrowest of margins, those just ahead in the standings are equally vulnerable and must remain vigilant. Among them are Chris Buescher of RFK Racing and Wallace’s rival, Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman.
Bowman currently holds the superior position of the two challengers, with a 37-point lead over Wallace and a 39-point advantage against Ryan Preece, who sits just below the cutline. Buescher trails Bowman by four points but maintains a 33-point buffer over Wallace and a 35-point cushion beyond Preece.
Between Bowman and Ross Chastain—who has secured a playoff spot with one of this year’s 12 wins—is Tyler Reddick from 23XI Racing. Though winless this season and technically outside the playoffs, Reddick holds a strong points lead, sitting 143 points ahead of Preece and 104 points clearer than Bowman, his closest competitor among the playoff hopefuls.
The closeness of the standings combined with the remaining seven races ensures continuous drama as drivers fight to either maintain or advance their playoff positions. For Bubba Wallace, every point and each race will be critical to extending his playoff run in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Bubba Wallace ever win a race?
A. Wallace achieved his first Cup series victory at Talladega on October 4, 2021, when rain caused an early end to the race.
Q. Has Bubba Wallace’s baby been born?
A. Bubba and Amanda posted together on Instagram to share that their baby was born. They included photos taken in the hospital. Their son, Becks Hayden Wallace, was born on September 29th.
Q. Has Bubba Wallace won a race?
A. Wallace became the first Black driver to win a Cup Series race since 1963, when Wendell Scott last achieved this. He also gave McDonald’s their first sponsored car win since Jimmy Spencer in 1994. On October 4, 2021, Wallace claimed his first Cup win at Talladega after the race ended early because of rain.
Q. Is Bubba Wallace a dad?
A. Bubba Wallace, a NASCAR driver featured on NBC, had his first child last September. He is thoroughly enjoying his new role as a father.
