Bubba Wallace’s hopes for returning to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for the first time since 2023 took a hit after wrecking out during Stage 2 of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway.
After starting at the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments stemming from a mechanical failure in Saturday’s qualifying session, Wallace found himself trapped in the back half of the field for the first 50 laps.
On Lap 56, the right-front tire on the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota went down after losing brakes in Turn 2, sending Wallace’s car into the wall. Wallace was checked and released from the Infield Care Center.
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“A lot softer than 2018,” Wallace said, referring to a wreck at Pocono then when he suffered a brake failure into Turn 1. “Keep bringing fast race cars. I appreciate the effort. No results to show for it. After practice, it was going to be embarrassing for the rest of the field, I thought. Never got to see it.”
Wallace’s 23XI teammate Riley Herbst suffered a similar fate on Lap 43 as the No. 35 Toyota had a tire go down and wrecked in Turn 1.
Wallace entered Sunday’s race 13th in the playoff standings — 57 points above the elimination line.