23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace has opened up on his devastating playoff heartache following the intense Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, the regular-season finale of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series.
Despite securing a remarkable pole position and leading 37 laps, Wallace’s playoffs dreams were crushed as he finished 16th.
Wallace and rival Chris Buescher, both vying for the final playoff position, faced a significant upset when Chase Briscoe celebrated the victory.
Whilst speaking to the media, Wallace commented, as quoted by NASCAR.com:
“We weren’t good enough, simple as that; last two-thirds of the race I said I hope the 11 [Denny Hamlin] and 5 [Kyle Larson] stay up there because the 14 [Briscoe] is fast.
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 U.S. Air Force Toyota, speaks to the media after winning the pole award during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2024 in Darlington, South Carolina. Bubba Wallace addresses lost NASCAR playoff spot.
Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
“Who won? The goal post moved again. They were better and deserving so congrats to the 14. We come back tomorrow and gotta hit it harder than we did. That’s sports.
“You go up and down and round and round. Gotta put this weekend behind and put the disappointment behind of not making the playoffs and go give your all for the next 10 [races].”
Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, spoke to the media after the race. He explained:
“But that’s what NASCAR’s all about, I enjoy it. I don’t have basketball anymore but this could replace it very easily. It’s exciting.
“Everybody wants something but something don’t come for free,” he said of the advice he gave Wallace before the race. “If you want more, it’s going to cost more that means you have to put the effort in there. He understands that.”
Meanwhile, Wallace’s 23XI Racing teammate Tyler Reddick secured the 2024 NASCAR Regular Season Championship win. Reflecting on the moment, Reddick explained:
“Yeah, it’s just a testament to all the hard work that everyone at 23XI, here at the race track, week in and week out, back at Airspeed, puts into this.
“We’re on Year 4 of their goals, right? It’s just been really, really fun the last two years to be a part of this process, building up to where we want to be.”
NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out Southern 500 At Darlington Raceway Results
- Chase Elliott – Running
- Ryan Preece – Running
- Austin Cindric – Running
- Brad Keselowski – Running
- Austin Dillon – Running
- Bubba Wallace – Running
- Todd Gilliland – Running
- Daniel Suárez – Running
- Alex Bowman – Running
- Ty Gibbs – Running
- Harrison Burton – Running
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr – Running
- Zane Smith – Running
- Erik Jones – Running
- John H. Nemechek – Running
- Shane Van Gisbergen – Running
- Justin Haley – Running
- Michael McDowell – Running
- Daniel Hemric – Running
- William Byron – Accident
- Josh Berry – Accident
- Noah Gragson – Accident
- Carson Hocevar – Accident
- Kaz Grala – Running
- Timmy Hill – Steering
- Martin Truex Jr – Accident
- Ryan Blaney – Accident
