Bubba Wallace is looking to finally triumph in the Daytona 500, after a pair of runner-up results in 2018 and 2022. However, the 23XI Racing driver’s journey to victory lane has gotten a bit more difficult.
In the closing laps of the race’s opening stage, an awry bump from Martin Truex, Jr. to Wallace, sent the No. 23 Toyota Camry TRD sideways and into the outside wall. As a result, the Mobile, Alabama-native was forced to come down pit road.
Bubba Wallace gets a bump from Martin Truex Jr. #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/FPpuqlhmYL
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 19, 2023
Upon exiting pit road, Wallace was able to rejoin the lead draft – albeit one lap behind the leaders – meaning he would spend the next 15 circuits around Daytona attempting to be the first driver one lap down.
On the final lap of the stage, AJ Allmendinger was able to snatch the free pass away from Wallace, leaving him still one lap down as the second stage begins in the 2023 Daytona 500.
During the break at the conclusion of the first stage, Bubba Wallace’s 23XI Racing team reported that the toe link on the No. 23 Toyota Camry is bent. As the second stage gets underway, Wallace and co. have elected to ride with it.
One Response
No real excitement with all the cars bunched up, need to go back to old school racing, just saying.!!!!