Bubba Wallace arrives at Watkins Glen feeling relaxed and without the usual pressure, having already secured his playoff spot thanks to his recent victory at the Brickyard. The 23XI Racing driver earned his first win of the season there, locking in his place for the upcoming postseason races. With only Richmond and Daytona remaining in the regular season, Wallace is focusing on refining his road course skills rather than chasing qualification.
Following his win at Indy, Wallace continued to perform well with a sixth-place finish at Iowa last weekend. As he prepares for the challenging Watkins Glen track, he shared his mindset during a recent media session, emphasizing a stress-free approach focused on pushing for speed and performance.
“Yeah, for sure. I got nothing to stress about. Obviously push myself harder and harder to find all the speed in our car. So I’m looking forward to that. It’s going to be a challenging day. I know that. But nonetheless get the sleeves rolled up and ready to go,” Wallace said. [2:00]
Wallace described his current state outside the pressure bubble following his playoff clinch as “awesome.” He views the next three races as chances to identify and improve upon his team’s weaknesses ahead of the playoffs.
His Teammates Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst Aim for Playoff Berths
With his own position secure, Wallace turned attention to his 23XI Racing teammates, Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst, both of whom have yet to win this season and are still fighting for playoff spots. Reddick, who was the regular season champion in 2024 and finished with three wins, currently sits sixth in the standings without a guaranteed place in the playoffs. Herbst’s winless streak continues as well, adding to the tension surrounding the team’s full playoff prospects.
Wallace expressed hope that both teammates can turn things around in the remaining races and join him in the postseason field.
“Hopefully we can get the #45 locked in on a win and then you know the #35 needs to win. So if Tyler finds his road course tricks, he could win this weekend and then Riley does his super speedway magic, we could get all three cars in the playoffs. It’s not far out of the realm.” [5:20]
Despite his confidence in his fellow drivers, Wallace emphasized the importance of continuing to work hard. His secured win this year removes much of the pressure for the #23 team, allowing them to focus on performance improvement and preparation moving forward.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of a Pressure-Free Playoff Spot
Bubba Wallace’s relaxed approach to Watkins Glen represents a valuable shift for both himself and 23XI Racing. Without the immediate stress to qualify, Wallace can prioritize perfecting his road course skills and help uncover opportunities to optimize his car’s speed for the challenging circuit. Meanwhile, his hopes for Reddick and Herbst to win key races keep the team’s playoff ambitions alive across all three drivers.
As the regular season winds down with Richmond and Daytona remaining, Wallace and his team will use these races not only to chase wins but also to build confidence and identify weaknesses ahead of the playoffs. This strategic focus could prove crucial for 23XI Racing’s success in the postseason, as they aim to advance beyond this year’s challenges with resilience and determination.