Bubba Wallace has not had a great start to the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series. Since finishing fourth in Las Vegas during the Pennzoil 400, the No. 23 car has spun out. Following an early exit in Atlanta, Wallace and his team were hoping that things would turn around at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
"Need to Be Replaced"
Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images
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After bringing out the first caution at Atlanta by getting loose and making contact with the inside wall, Bubba Wallace was hoping his result would be different in Austin. But, following a crash on Lap 11 of the EchoPark Grand Prix in Texas, Wallace would pick up his third DNF of his 2023 Season.
The crash involving Kyle Larson resulted in Wallace's Camry suffering a broken toe link, along with several other mechanical issues. As the cameras kept rolling, it was clear that Wallace was none too happy with his showing.
A frustrating end to the day for Bubba Wallace at COTA. pic.twitter.com/ThLmO0Xhkg
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 26, 2023
As cooler heads prevailed, Wallace returned to the microphone after he was cleared from the infield care center to explain his thoughts on the MoneyLion car's disappointing day.
"Just trying my hardest not to go down this slippery slope of self-doubt right here," Wallace said to FOX Sports. "Two weeks in a row of making rookie mistakes six years into Cup? Need to be replaced."
Bubba Wallace after a mistake ends his day at COTA: pic.twitter.com/I36fmTgfsi
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 26, 2023
It is clear that Wallace has some serious obstacles to tackle in the season ahead, both on the racetrack and off. When athletes begin to spiral into that dark place of self-loathing and frustration, it feels like a perfect opportunity for the yips to come into play. And as we all know, racing is not the kind of sport where you can focus on anything other than the track in front of you and the drivers in your rearview. Hopefully Wallace can pull himself up by the boot straps and turn his season around sooner, rather than later.
