Bubba Wallace Eyes Success at Coca-Cola 600 Amidst Newfound Confidence

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Bubba Wallace is gearing up for a pivotal Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, a race that marks a halfway point in the regular NASCAR season. Despite facing back-to-back 33rd-place finishes, Wallace finds himself in a promising position, currently sitting 10th in the series standings.

“I’ve never been 10th in points 12 races in,” Wallace said. He noted that typically, he has been in a more stressful spot, battling to secure a playoff position as the regular season nears its conclusion. He added, “Not saying we’re locked in by any means … but (66) points to the good, never said that before.”

This season is unique for Wallace, particularly as he ranks fourth in stage points with 100, trailing only Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, and William Byron. His personal total exceeds the combined stage points of several drivers who currently occupy the final playoff spots.

The Coca-Cola 600 is not just another race; it is the longest of the NASCAR season, and Wallace is determined to make his mark. Although he has two career Cup wins, both came outside the regular season, increasing the urgency to perform well as the playoffs approach.

Wallace has adjusted significantly since his playoff appearance in 2023, where he secured the final playoff spot at Daytona. He enters this weekend winless in his last 91 Cup starts, a statistic that adds to the importance of his performance at Charlotte.

Historically, Wallace has never ranked higher than 16th in the standings at this point in the season over his previous seven years. He credits his success this year to a new crew chief, Charles Denike, and a skilled pit crew, but emphasized his own personal growth as a driver: “I’ve done a lot of work on self, on the mental side, the physical side to make sure that I am fit for the job,” he stated.

With eight years of experience under his belt, Wallace has learned the complexities of competing at NASCAR’s highest level. He shared advice for his younger self, saying, “You have to understand that and two, recognize it, and three, put it to work.”

As Wallace prepares for this Sunday, he is well aware of the challenges that may arise, especially after finishing 33rd at Kansas. This finish places him early on in the qualifying order, likely outside the top 20. “It’s going to be a dog fight for 600 miles,” he acknowledged. Yet, he remains confident. “We have the speed. We’re confident in our people, confident in our equipment, and I think, where we’re at now at this point in the season, never been here before. That gives you confidence, too.”