Bubba Wallace was inches from disaster at Dover, and might’ve saved his season in the process.
With five races left before the NASCAR playoffs, the No. 23 driver made a split-second move to avoid a spinning Christopher Bell during Sunday’s rain-delayed restart.
The cockpit footage was wild. But it was spotter Freddie Kraft’s reaction—an audible breath of shock—that really said it all. Wallace, never one to let a moment slide, posted the clip to X with a jab at Kraft: “Sorry for the heart attack @FreddieKraft . This one fired me up, ”
But had Wallace hit Bell, it would’ve been a DNF, and a season killer.
One Move, Seven Points, Five Races to Go
Christopher Bell spun from the front row late in the final stage, slid through Turn 4 and into traffic. Wallace went low and got out, then fought back to a P7 finish. His 7th top-10 of the season and his most important yet.
That kept Wallace on the bubble at 16th, the final playoff-eligible position.
He’s been there (or one spot out) 23 times this season.
It’s a pressure cooker few drivers know better. Bubba Wallace hasn’t won this year. And with five races left, he’s one mistake away from falling behind win-or-bust drivers chasing that last spot. A crash Sunday could’ve opened the door for someone else and closed his.
Making it all more complicated: 23XI Racing is an open team until their preliminary injunction is resolved. If Wallace gets into the playoffs, he locks the team into postseason eligibility, a big deal while their lawsuit is ongoing.
Team co-owner Denny Hamlin hasn’t been subtle about expectations: “Obviously, it is a result‑based business, and if you don’t over time, you consider your options, ” he said.
That adds context to every lap, every point and every save like the one Wallace made at Dover. Next up: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Wallace finished 5th last year with a stage win. He doesn’t need a miracle to stay alive, just a clean weekend.
