Bubba Wallace is preparing intensely for the upcoming playoff Round of 12 event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, knowing that every effort will be crucial for his survival in the series. The 23XI Racing driver is entering the Mobil 1 301 race on Sunday with a determined mindset, aiming to secure his position amid tight competition.
Wallace qualified 14th for the 301-lap race with a lap time of 29.485 seconds, placing him just outside the top 10. His teammate Tyler Reddick performed better in qualifying, capturing fourth place with a lap of 29.356 seconds. As the playoff tensions rise, Wallace acknowledged the increasing challenges and emphasized his need to stay focused lap by lap on the demanding New Hampshire track.
Wallace Emphasizes Steady Focus Amid Playoff Pressure
Following the qualifying session, Wallace shared insights about his approach as he faces the playoff elimination round in Loudon. He stressed that the challenge ahead demands more intensity and careful attention to detail, highlighting the narrow margin between advancing and elimination.
“I think you gotta intensify a little bit more, you know. We’re in by one or two, whatever it is. And so it’s going to take, it takes everything. The last round took everything as well, but it’s more defined on this one, I would say,” he said via Youtube/Frontstretch [5:31 onwards]
“So, yeah, but I think the base hits mentality is just don’t let the highs get too high, lows get too low. Just go out and lap by lap, make the right moves, let the little stuff go to focus on the big stuff later,” he added.
Last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, Wallace crashed but maintained a strong pace during both race stages, finishing stages in the top 10. His performances at previous races including Gateway and Darlington helped him avoid slipping too low in the playoff standings. Entering New Hampshire, Wallace sits eighth, a slim one-point cushion above the elimination cutline and four points shy of Chase Elliott, who is ahead of him in the rankings.
Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick holds 12th place and is currently three points below the cutoff, placing him at immediate risk of being eliminated if results do not improve.
Team Penske’s Tire Testing Gives Them an Edge at New Hampshire
Qualifying at New Hampshire showcased Team Penske’s dominance, with Joey Logano securing the Busch Light Pole position and Ryan Blaney following closely in second. Josh Berry, racing with Wood Brothers Racing under Penske’s technical alliance, completed the top three starters. Wallace pointed out that Penske’s success at the track is strongly linked to a tire test the team conducted in July.
“I mean we expected to be quicker than what we were and yeah, so looks like the the Penske tire test is paying off for those boys in top three right now,” he said via aforementioned source. [8:18 onwards]
Ross Chastain, who also participated in the July tire test, qualified inside the top 10 in eighth place. However, Austin Cindric, another Penske driver, qualified back in 22nd place and has struggled to leverage the tire advantage. Notably, Cindric is positioned just below Wallace in the playoff standings, while Logano and Chastain are 10th and 11th respectively.
If Logano performs strongly at New Hampshire, there is a real threat that Wallace could be knocked out of contention, adding to the tension during this critical stage of the playoffs.
Upcoming Race Details and What’s at Stake
The race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, starting at 2 PM ET, with coverage available on USA Network and HBO Max. The outcome of this event will likely have significant implications for the playoff grid. Wallace’s ability to maintain composure and execute his “base hits” strategy under pressure may determine whether he advances to the next round or faces elimination.
With the playoff standings tightening and every point counting, Bubba Wallace’s focus on managing the highs and lows of the race reflects the anxious and restless mood among drivers fighting to stay in the championship hunt. The Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire promises to be a crucible where small mistakes could end championship dreams.
