Bubba Wallace had plenty of odds stacked against him entering Sunday's Round of 12 cutoff race at the Charlotte Roval. Wallace wasn't able to reach the Round of 8 as he came up short on his 30th birthday.
While the driver of the No. 23 scored stage points throughout the race, it wasn't enough, as he ultimately lost too much ground during the final stage. Wallace ended the day with a 16th-place finish, far from what he hoped and expected given the strength of his car all weekend.
After the race Wallace had plenty on his mind following his elimination from the NASCAR playoffs, while talking with NBC. The biggest what-if being a race win he felt slipped through his fingers at Texas Motor Speedway.
"Texas. That's what I thought about after we got spun there," Wallace said. "You know this weekend was incredible. Just from the effort, from the team, from myself it's just all clicking, right? It felt really good to be competitive and run up front and pass cars on road courses and not be passed, there's a lot to look at. But what I analyze is, what could I have done to not be in that situation? Could I have been faster around another car, gotta be better to not put yourself where you're racing around there with squirrels."
A solid effort for @BubbaWallace, but he's eliminated from the #NASCARPlayoffs. pic.twitter.com/S7fnSdEK9B
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 8, 2023
After further reflection following Sunday's race, Wallace took to X to boost his own confidence in himself.
"I'm a big believer in everything happens for a reason, Wallace said. "Bummed, but I accept that it just wasn't meant to be. Being at peace with the trials and tribulations is a weird thing. 30... is that you? Appreciate the bday love and the continued support. Y'all be safe."
I?m a big believer in everything happens for a reason. Bummed, but I accept that it just wasn?t meant to be. Being at peace with the trials and tribulations is a weird thing. 30?is that you?
Appreciate the bday love and the continued support.
Y?all be safe ??
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) October 9, 2023
It was no playoff run to frown at for Wallace, as he made the Cup Series playoffs for the first time in his career.
Reaching the Round of 12 without winning a race is quite the feat in this era where the racing is so competitive, and a driver almost has to win to get to the playoffs or advance through the rounds.
While he might be eliminated from the championship, Wallace is still determined to compete at a high level for the rest of the season.
