Bubba Wallace reacts to disappointing day at New Hampshire: 'I hate it'

Today’s race at New Hampshire was perhaps the most disappointing of the season for Bubba Wallace and his team. The 23XI Racing organization didn’t have a lot going for them today as they finished P21, P22, and P26.

Bubba Wallace was the worst of the trio at 23XI. Now, he finds himself in a rough position after only one race this round. Kansas is one of his best tracks, and it is where he has won before. The Roval in two weeks is technically his best road course track on the circuit historically.

Today was tough. Wallace spoke on the post-race show about the race and how tough it was in New Hampshire.

“Yeah. That was the longest day I’ve had in a racecar in a long time, Dylan,” Bubba Wallace said on the broadcast. “Just a head scratcher, and that’s how it really was the start of the weekend. You know, in practice, I didn’t really know which way to handle the balance. I thought we were neutral. We obviously fired off and didn’t have much to speak for.

“So, I hate that. It looks like our whole team struggled just to find the speed and the feel that we needed. I said it before, this is a tricky place, but to be that far off, that kinda caught all of us by surprise. But I appreciate the team. Pit crew did a good job of getting us spots on pit road when it mattered, and we threw everything at it, just never reacted the way we wanted it to. So, I hate it. But all you can do is keep your head down and keep on digging next week.”

Being –27 points to the cutline is not ideal. In fact, it’s worse than that. Bubba Wallace is now 12th among the 12 drivers in the NASCAR Playoffs. While Kansas has been a good track for him, the last season and a half to two seasons haven’t really produced much in terms of results for Wallace there.

The points situation could be worse. But without a really great performance at Kansas, meaning stage points and ultimately, a top ten or five finish, the Roval could be a must-win situation. No offense to Bubba Wallace, but that is not a position that he can win in.

Toyota was really strong in the Round of 16. Now we are seeing the Fords and maybe the Chevys start to get their footing in these NASCAR Playoffs. Who will be the next to win and advance to the Round of 8 with Ryan Blaney?