Athletes are often epitomized for performing under pressure. They tend to hold their calmness even when things are going south. Their mental endurance has trained them to face adversity with great dexterity. The same can be said for the NASCAR drivers. But again, it can be argued that pressure and performing under pressure are a state of mind. And Bubba Wallace doesn’t allow it to get the better of him.

And he openly admits this in an interview with 2× WNBA champion Renee Montgomery. 

Bubba Wallace talks about the relationship he has with Michael Jordan

The 23XI Racing driver appeared on the LeBatard Show and spoke on an array of topics. However, when he was asked, “I can think of your #23 driving 23 for MJ [Michael Jordan]. What is it like? Does that add extra pressure knowing, you his (Michael Jordan’s) mentality? And what is y’all relationship like because this is like 2 people consider the GOAT?”

To this, the #23 driver replied, “The relationship is actually really really cool. Just to text him whenever and talk about whatever that’s really really cool and really fun.”

“But as far as pressure, no I don’t see it. The 23 [23XI Racing] had been in the sport for many years before. You know we brought it on as a team. So I know that #23 you think of Michael Jordan for sure.”

And he also elaborated on his handling of pressure, “But for me, I think you know pressure all comes from within. I’ve raced for Richard Petty before this, so there’s a lot of pressure there, people would say. But it feels the same as far as the pressure levels from each time.”

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Will Kansas end Wallace’s streak of bad luck?

The 29-year-old may have gained his immunity to work under pressure, not allowing it to affect his performance. However, the performance of Bubba Wallace has been not up to the mark. He seems to be facing one hurdle after the other. Earlier it was the race at Circuit of The Americas, where he failed to deliver a favorable result to his team boss Michael Jordan and also his fans. After the race, he painfully let out, “Two weeks in a row of making rookie mistakes six years into Cup? Need to be replaced!” Listening to this, many fans thought he was being too hard on himself. 

Even the race at Talladega was nothing less than a mess for the 23XI driver, as he crashed out of the race while being very close to his second win at the circuit. To add insult to injury, it was none other than his best friend, Ryan Blaney, who he tangled with before spinning out. With the race at Dover, things seem to change for the better and come as a respite to Bubba Wallace. It may have cleared his cloud of self-doubt.

And now it is the race at Kansas Speedway that he has to focus on. With AdventHealth 400 right around the corner, perhaps he will get to redeem himself. Who knows, maybe at the Kansas Speedway the promising driver will put an end to his streak of bad luck, and bounce back to his old form.    

Read More: Weeks after Demanding Replacement, Unsure Bubba Wallace Exposes His Self-Doubts Yet Again