Bubba Wallace expressed his pride in the Tennessee Volunteers during his driver introduction at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 13, highlighting his personal connection to the university. The 23XI Racing driver gave a spirited shoutout to the Volunteers, a team closely linked to his family, as noted by NASCAR reporter Steven Taranto during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race.
Wallace’s ties to the Tennessee Volunteers run deep, with his mother having competed in track and field at the university. His enthusiastic “Rocky Top! Go Vols!” call resonated with fans and added a personal touch to the evening’s events.
“Bubba Wallace also dropped a ‘Rocky Top! Go Vols!’,” Taranto wrote via X.
Beyond his connection to the Volunteers, Wallace recently addressed the challenges of his public image within NASCAR, acknowledging the scrutiny he faces and affirming his commitment to authenticity. He stated he remains outspoken and does not shy away from expressing his emotions, regardless of critics.
“I’ve always kind of been very vocal. I’m not afraid to voice my opinion. I’m not afraid to show when I’m mad. And for some reason, people want a ton of personality, but they don’t want it from me…. And I used to really focus on why am I damned if I do that? I don’t care. I’m not going to change for anybody. It’s a full-circle moment, returning to how we started this interview. This is what you get. What you see is what you get,” he said via Fox Sports.
On the track, Wallace qualified eighth for the playoff elimination race and maintained consistent performance by finishing in the top 10 during both stages. His fourth-place finish in Stage 1 ensured progression to the Round of 12, but he ultimately finished 34th after a late-race collision.
The incident occurred when Cole Custer made contact with Wallace’s rear, pushing him into the outside wall. This contact was triggered after Brad Keselowski bumped Custer, which slowed him down prior to the collision with Wallace.
Bubba Wallace Reflects on Current Playoff Situation
Wallace described this season’s playoff run as less stressful compared to past experiences, particularly contrasting it with his first playoff appearance in 2021. His position this year benefits from a stronger cushion secured by his Brickyard win, making the path through the playoffs more manageable.
“For sure don’t feel the stress that I had two years ago. I feel like we’re in an okay spot. We’re not clenched or anything. So, it’s just one of those things where you just run your own race and be mindful of others, you should come out of here okay,” he said via aforementioned source.
Heading into Bristol, Wallace held a 50-point lead above the playoff cutline after achieving back-to-back top-10 finishes at Darlington Raceway and World Wide Technology Raceway. Despite a setback at Gateway when a stuck gear cost him valuable positions late in the race, he remains a strong competitor for the remainder of the postseason.
The 31-year-old racer’s next challenge will be the Round 4 race at New Hampshire Speedway, a track where his last appearance ended in a DNF and a 34th-place finish. As the playoffs progress, Wallace aims to maintain focus and capitalize on his momentum.
