Published 02/06/2023, 1:12 AM EST
In 2022, Bubba Wallace emerged as a better driver than he was in the season prior to that. But for better or worse, his campaign was remembered for his altercation with Kyle Larson in Vegas. And now it seems like his 2023 season has also started with a back-and-forth on track.
This time around the driver on the other side was Austin Dillon.
Throughout the late moments during the Clash at the Coliseum, Wallace and Dillon developed a constant action and retaliation on the short track, one bumping, nudging, pushing, and shoving the other over and over again.
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But while Dillon managed to hold on to his 2nd place when the checkered flag dropped, Wallace found himself in the 22nd.
So naturally, the 23XI Racing driver was pretty affected by him going from 3rd with 10 to go, to 22nd at the end.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 16: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #45 McDonald’s Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Bubba Wallace claims his Clash result “is what it is”
Speaking to Bob Pockrass after the race, Bubba Wallace claimed his #23 was “really good” for the first half of the race. “All the cautions, I couldn’t tell if I was letting it get too cold or too hot. Once I fell back to 4th, I realized I was letting it get too cold,” he described.
“I was kicking myself for that. But, quickly adjusted.”
“I got back going and the No. 3 just never tried to make a corner. He just always run into my left rear,” Wallace continued. “It is what it is. I got run into the fence by him down the straightaway, on that restart. So, I gave him a shot. Then, we get dumped. It sucks.”
“Y’all are looking for something, but I ain’t going to give you nothing.”
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Could 2023 by the year for Wallace & 23XI?
In 2023, Bubba Wallace would hope to finally lay the critics and his doubters to bed considering how his career at 23XI Racing team has gone up and up in the last two seasons. In fact, this season, the Hamlin-Jordan-owned team could emerge as the next powerhouse in the series considering their driver lineup.
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While Wallace is still a 50/50 driver for most, their new signing, Tyler Reddick is a highly rated talent who has proved his prowess in the past many times, especially in the last season.
So if they are to really compete for the two championships, Wallace & Reddick might have to avoid repeating the result of the Coliseum. Wallace finished 22nd, while Reddick was in 6th, which for the latter is still good, but not good enough.
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But for the former, it’s certainly not what he or his team expects from him.