Bubba Wallace goes into the 2023 NASCAR season with higher expectations after taking a step up in performance last year. Wallace, 29, ended the campaign with one win, five top-5 finishes, top-10 finishes, and an 18.3 average finishing position.
However, the driver of the No. 23 car for 23XI Racing only competed in 35 races over the 2022 season. This is due to a one-race suspension served at Homestead-Miami Speedway after intentionally hooking Kyle Larson across the front stretch at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
It was a controversial conclusion to the 2022 season for Wallace but it does not mean it was not successful. Going into the 2023 Daytona 500, there are clearly high expectations alongside continued growth.
Related: Evaluating NASCAR’s big suspension toward Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace talks about his continued growth ahead of the 2023 season
Wallace is set to be a possible playoff contender for the 2023 season after showing plenty of speed last year; however, there are ways that he can make that speed turn into even better finishes.
The 29-year-old driver spoke to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass about his growth and mindset going into the 2023 season.
“I’m just continuing to grow and learn and try to process things a little bit slower, slow down mentally and enjoy the moment that you’re in. There was a lot of moments where we kind of just reacted and should have put some thought into it first, but that’s part of it. To create your boundaries, you’ve got to step over them.”
Bubba Wallace on his growth ahead of the 2023 NASCAR season
This is Wallace’s third full-time campaign with 23XI Racing and success at this level is new to him after years with Richard Petty Motorsports, now Legacy Motor Club. It takes time to learn and adapt to a new environment.
Wallace also discussed the incident with Larson at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the playoffs and his mindset on that situation moving forward.
“I moved on the next day after the suspension. It was unfortunate the way it all kind of went down. But I understood the positioning of everything, and that’s part of it. Everybody makes mistakes. And it’s if you do it again, then you didn’t learn your lesson. So I feel like I’ve learned and we can move on.”
Bubba Wallace on the Kyle Larson incident and his suspension
The Alabama native can only show he learned from his mistakes if that translates over to the race track. It is different to say you have learned and can move than to show you have grown from the situation.
However, it is not something that should or can define Wallace moving forward. Sportsnaut’s NASCAR Cup Series predictions for the 2023 season have him making the playoffs with a victory.
There is a lot to love about Wallace entering the 2023 season and there will be plenty of success ahead. The growth from previous situations could have an effect on his performance this year.