"Frustrating sixth place": Bubba Wallace's disappointment after top 10 finish at Homestead highlights 23XI Racing's progress

Despite being knocked out of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace has a lot of positive takeaways from his season so far. The Mobile, Alabama native, along with the team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan have managed to step up their performances in 2023.

Both 23XI Racing cars were seen qualifying for the postseason this year, with Tyler Reddick still in contention for a spot in the final four on the basis of his performance next weekend.

Bubba Wallace also managed to make his first-ever qualification into the playoffs, solely on points. This Sunday's 4EVER 400 saw both Wallace and Reddick finish in P6 and P3 respectively.

Despite the #23 Toyota Camry TRD driver finishing well inside the top 10, the 30-year-old driver was left wanting more after the race. Wallace elaborated on the same to speedwaymedia.com and said:

“Frustrating day, frustrating sixth place. But, proud of our effort today, that’s what it takes. We just need to be better. Have to look at what we did from Saturday night into today and not do that again and start better to put ourselves in contention. I thought our pit crew put us back in the game there today. But all in all, a good result for sure.”

Looking back just one season to Bubba Wallace's and the team's performance in 2022, it was hard for anyone to put them up as contenders in the postseason. With mistakes on pit road pulling Wallace out of spots where he could challenge, as well as several loose wheel instances, the #23 crew needed an overhaul.

The team as well as the driver have seemed to up their game this season with regular appearances in the top 10. Consistency has also been the key factor this season with Bubba Wallace advancing into the playoffs only on the basis of points, rather than an outright win during the regular season.

It remains to be seen what this team can do next year.

Bubba Wallace swaps water for soda during NASCAR race in Miami

In a video uploaded by his team, Bubba Wallace was shown requesting popular soda manufacturer Dr. Pepper's soda while the final caution laps necessitated pit stop during the 4EVER 400.

In what was most likely a promotional video for Dr. Pepper, who is also one of Wallace's sponsors, the #23 crew was seen filling a drinks bottle for the driver with a can of the beverage.

Now, it is up to your imagination whether you believe Wallace actually consumed the soda during the race or not!