It may have been a strong run for Bubba Wallace at Indy, putting him in reach of the Playoff cutline, but the driver of the No. 23 is critical of anything short of a win.
Wallace’s 23XI Racing team took advantage of pit strategy to win Stage 2, his first stage win since 2022, earning him ten regular season points and an all-important Playoff point should he make the Playoffs. As strategy shook out through the final stage, Wallace further drove up to a fifth-place finishing position, doing everything he needed to for points besides win.
Leaving Indianapolis, there are just four races to go before the Playoff grid is set, and there are currently four spots available on points. That means the only guarantee to make the postseason is to win, but repeat winners, such as Larson at Indy, maintain those four spots.
Bubba Wallace entered Indianapolis 27 points behind the cutline. After his strong performance and bad luck for his competitors, he leaves just seven points behind Ross Chastain and 17 points behind Chris Buescher. Ty Gibbs, 42 points ahead, and Martin Truex, with a 108-point advantage, are the other drivers in contention for a points spot.
After getting out of his car and reflecting on his day, Wallace acknowledged that the points and finishing position were a strong run but was critical of a 17th-place qualifying run that limited any real shot at the win from the start of the race.
“We were fifth – what a day. I just did not do a good job on Friday and Saturday and set us behind for track position,” Wallace said. “I really didn’t know what our car had, but I knew the people we had on it and that is what matters the most.
“The No. 23 U.S. Air Force Toyota Camry was really, really fast. It felt really good. After a few laps, I was like, I don’t know what we have – but it is good to be back on the oval. The finish is making my mood better, but it was really difficult to pass. All-in-all, a good day. A good points day,” he concluded.
Wallace holds himself to a particularly high standard, and is certainly looking for a win to lock himself into the Playoffs rather than continuing to hunt for points. But, for the position he finds himself in, Bubba Wallace had an excellent day at Indianapolis, all things considered. He just needs a few more of those to get on the right side of the cutline.
