Bubba Wallace looking to flip the script at Gateway

MADISON, Ill. -- Bubba Wallace doesn’t need to be informed about his past results at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. He has a best finish of 21st in three attempts at the NASCAR Cup Series level, and his average finish of 25.7 is his worst among active ovals. “We don’t really have anything to brag about in the Cup car here,” Wallace said on Saturday at Gateway. “Aside from our 2014 truck win -- a little bit different.” With a strong sixth-place outing in the playoff opener at Darlington Raceway, earning the fourth-most points in the grueling crown-jewel race, Wallace increased his points buffer to 25 markers over the elimination line. That allows some wiggle room for the No. 23 team over the next two races at Gateway and Bristol Motor Speedway to close the Round of 16. RELATED: Gateway weekend schedule | Cup Series standings The good news for Wallace is that the No. 23 team has been in the mix at tracks comparable to Gateway throughout the 2025 season. Last month, he led a career-high 123 laps at Richmond Raceway, two weeks after dicing through the field at Iowa Raceway to finish sixth after starting the final run at the rear of the field. The same Goodyear Racing tire that was used at Iowa will be on display at Gateway. “Hopefully, that breeds some success from Iowa,” Wallace said of the same Goodyear tire setup. “Every track is unique, and every track is different. You can go back to Iowa and not have the same result that we did -- that’s just how much things evolve and change. “We just have to lock in, figure out what our car needs. This is probably the one out of the 10 that are circled that’s like, eh, need to figure out something here. Not in a bad way. I’m excited for the challenge and excited to figure it out. I think we’re in a good spot. It’s different looking at points now versus being on the bubble looking at points. I’m OK, plus 25. I’ll take it.” The fresh mindset for Wallace is fairly simple: continue the summer surge that the No. 23 team has been on. Dating back to late July at Dover Motor Speedway, he has five top-10 finishes over the last seven races, highlighted by the biggest victory of his career at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That ideology, spearheaded by rookie Cup Series crew chief Charles Denike, will be put to the test at Gateway. “My philosophy and mindset coming into this place is not vibing,” Wallace added. “Looking forward to doing something new and chasing a feel that’s different and being comfortable being uncomfortable. I feel like we have a good hold on our short-track stuff, so I don’t think it will be any different.” Neither Wallace nor 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin is concerned about Wallace’s Gateway statistics. Staying even would pay dividends, going to a track at Bristol where the No. 23 team has a pair of top-15 finishes in the last four races. “I think that they feel pretty good,” Hamlin stated. “They have some good tracks these next couple of weeks and have the speed to do it. As long as they focus on the execution of the race, I think they will be fine.”