[autotag]Bubba Wallace[/autotag] led 111 of the 267 laps at Texas Motor Speedway but it didn’t produce the results he was expecting overall. Despite winning the pole and leading a majority of Stage 1, Wallace only earned three stage points due to pit strategy and track position. However, a victory was the main goal as it was a ticket to the Round of 8.
Wallace was in a position to win as he led on the final restart; however, he and Chase Briscoe went up the track and William Byron pulled ahead for his sixth victory of the season. Following the race, Wallace talked about coming up short and what happened on the final restart of the day.
“Third time I fooled myself starting on top,” Wallace said. “These guys gave me the right information. (Chase Briscoe) was tight and he sent it off in there. Wasn’t going to stick, but that’s what he’s going to do. We’re racing for a win. I just hate it. I should have just kept my line into (Turn 3) and forced (William Byron) to get tight. But we’re so vulnerable in these cars, right?”
Take another look at @WilliamByron's pass for the win! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Ref5Nw5lQe
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 24, 2023
“But just upset with myself. Really needed a win there, and it was a good showing. I don’t know where that puts us. I don’t really care. But I know what I did and I choked.”
Wallace still had a very solid day at Texas but the lack of a victory and stage points is certainly disappointing for him. Now, the driver of the No. 23 car has a two-point deficit to the playoff cut-line with Kyle Larson, the driver who wrecked underneath him, in the final transfer spot. Wallace now heads to Talladega Superspeedway which is a place that has seen previous success for him.