Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 Toyota for 23XI Racing, finds himself in a provisional playoff position halfway through the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series regular season. With 13 points races down and 13 to go, Wallace currently occupies a playoff spot, sitting in 15th place in the point standings, 23 points above the provisional playoff cut line. Wallace has recorded five top 12 finishes in the last six points races, positioning himself to significantly reduce the doubt if he can keep it going. However, he knows that it will probably take a win for him to get into the playoffs, since more new winners will likely emerge during the second half of the regular season, thus moving up the cut line.
Wallace, who has never qualified for the playoffs, has shown he has the speed, and 23XI Racing have certainly shown that they have cars capable of running at the front. Just six drivers have more top five finishes than Wallace does this year, and two of his three have come in the last two points races. Wallace went on a hot streak last season as well, with four consecutive top eight finishes, including three in the top five, late in the regular season. But it was too little, too late; he had only finished higher than 10th place once in the season’s first 19 races, and he was never in the discussion for a playoff spot, barring a surprise late regular season victory.
The second half of the regular season is scheduled to get underway this Sunday, May 28 with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the longest race on the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series schedule. It is set to be broadcast live on Fox beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET. Wallace needs to get over the regular season hump, but that can be easier said than done. He simply needs to capitalize on his recent improvement in form and secure a win to get into the playoffs. Can he hold on to his provisional playoff position and make history by qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in his career? Only time will tell.
Keywords: Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Cup Series, 23XI Racing, playoffs, regular season, provisional playoff position, top five finishes, Charlotte Motor Speedway.
