Bubba Wallace has a good luck charm of sorts at Talladega

TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 23: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 McDonald's Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 23, 2022 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

As the NASCAR Cup series returns to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, Bubba Wallace returns as the Cup series latest winner at the track.

Wallace won at Talladega last fall, the first victory of his Cup career.

“To be honest with you, I sit here and think about it a lot and people put so much emphasis on the win,’’ said Wallace, who will start ninth for Sunday’s race.

“We talk about it, talk about it, talk about it and it builds up,” he added. “I just like to keep it low key under the radar. That’s how I like to roll about life. Some people may disagree, but it is special to be here. I’m excited.”

Wallace finished second at Daytona, the series’ last superspeedway race in February. For this trip to Talladega, Wallace has an extra sort of good luck charm: he’s grown a mustache. Or to be honest, re-grown it.

“Last time I had was at Talladega,” he said Saturday with a chuckle. “I’m not much of the superstitious type…and our luck, man, three loose wheels, I’ve made mistakes crashing cars in practice. We’ve been running good and something will take us out, and we’d finish 10 to 15 spots worse. So hey, ‘stache , it was a good time, hopefully to re-live that.

“And if it doesn’t happen, I’ll shave it off after the race.”

Photos: NASCAR at Talladega Superspeedway Saturday Apr. 23, 2022

Greg Engle