Bubba Wallace has had a great start to the 2024 season, with back-to-back top-five finishes. He hasn't done that alone though, as spotter Freddie Kraft has helped the driver of the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota.
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Wallace was able to finish 2023 on a high note, reaching a career-high 10th-place finish in the standings.
He looks to have carried that momentum over into 2024, and he has praised Kraft as key in getting him through everything.
Wallace finished fifth in the season-opening Daytona 500 and then followed it up with a second-straight fifth-place finish in Sunday's Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta.
Wallace admitted that mental toughness is a crucial factor in racing and has long admitted it isn't something he is strong at. Wallace took to X to praise Kraft for boosting his mental confidence.
May sound like a joke but my brain is mush. The psychological piece to plate racing is massive. Yes it’s big any other race but receiving and digesting the info from @FreddieKraft lap by lap, corner by corner to make sure you’re in the right spot is intense…
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) February 26, 2024
"May sound like a joke but my brain is mush," Wallace said. "The psychological piece to plate racing is massive. Yes, it's big any other race but receiving and digesting the info from @FreddieKraft lap by lap, corner by corner to make sure you're in the right spot is intense..."
Wallace's mental toughness was certainly put to the test in Atlanta, and the intense racing that led to his car getting damaged in the 16-car crash on lap two didn't help.
Wallace admitted to Matt Courson from Kickin the Tires.net that the race was tough on his brain.
"The racing was very intense, but it's the mental side. Are we gonna crash? Am I making the right move? Every corner. Every straightaway. Every lap. It's a lot. I am mentally drained just from that. You try to be so cool, calm, and collective the whole time, and it's hard to do in these situations," Wallace said. "We got unfortunate damage on Lap 2. I wish we could have given it a legit shot for the win but we will settle for fifth and build on it. Just never quit and gave up. All in all good day, good top-five. A lot to build on and debrief.
Atlanta likely won't be Wallace's last mental challenge this season but so far after two races he looks set for a big season.
