Bubba Wallace wasn’t supposed to compete for a NASCAR championship this season, and in years past, he wouldn’t have been able to.
But a switch by 23XI Racing moved Wallace from the No. 23 car to the No. 45 car and put him in the field for the owners’ championship. His 23XI Racing teammate, Kurt Busch (concussion), withdrew from the NASCAR Cup playoffs on the driver side, but the 45 car remained eligible for the owners’ title.
Wallace has taken advantage of the switch during the first two weeks of the playoffs. At Darlington, the 28-year old secured a ninth-place finish, by far the best showing of his career at the track.
MORE: NASCAR at Kansas results
He did one better at Kansas. Wallace used a strong Stage 3 run to secure a victory in the Hollywood Casino 400. It was his second win in the Cup Series.
Wallace’s delight was clear as soon as he took the checkered flag:
RETWEET TO CONGRATULATE BUBBA WALLACE ON HIS NASCAR CUP SERIES WIN AT KANSAS SPEEDWAY!@BubbaWallace | @23XIRacing pic.twitter.com/n3m8xjICgi
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 11, 2022
What a burnout by @BubbaWallace!
That’s win No. 2 for him in the @NASCAR Cup Series. pic.twitter.com/n1WblEqUIg
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 11, 2022
“🤫” – Bubba Wallace https://t.co/9zgvAJ4pRZ pic.twitter.com/EYLtS6kIuT
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 11, 2022
After the race, he had a message for all the naysayers:
Thankful for the opportunity. Thankful to shut [a lot of people] the hell up.
He wasn’t the only one who took pleasure in silencing the doubters. Crew chief Bootie Barker had similar sentiments:
“We took it to ’em. … What rocks are they going to throw at us this time?” – Bootie Barker.#NASCAR #HollywoodCasino400
— Daniel McFadin (@danielmcfadin) September 11, 2022
Even Wallace’s mom, Desiree, got in on the action. She called into the NASCAR Radio Post-Race Show and let everyone know how she was feeling:
A very prideful Desiree Wallace (mother of @BubbaWallace) just called “The @SiriusXMNASCAR Radio Post-Race Show” and told all the Bubba Wallace haters to “kick rocks”. @23XIRacing #NASCAR 🏁🪨🦶🤣 pic.twitter.com/8AmpbMAcQJ
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 11, 2022
Wallace’s win ensures that the No. 45 car will advance to the Round of 12 on the owner side of the playoffs.
With @BubbaWallace’s win, the @23XIRacing No. 45 team is locked into the next round for the owner’s championship.
Entering Bristol, @CBellRacing is the only driver locked into the next round of the #NASCARPlayoffs in driver points. pic.twitter.com/km2sjud9GT
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 11, 2022
Haters should probably avert their eyes next round, too, then.
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