Making his first playoff appearance since joining the circuit in 2018, Bubba Wallace has indeed come a long way. Although he got off to an encouraging start during NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season, the journey hasn’t been without its bumps. Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI often faced challenges in executing basic strategies, and Wallace himself had a rocky run on road courses.

Navigating the playoffs in NASCAR is a high-stakes game where even the smallest of errors can cost you a shot at the championship. Bootie Barker, the No. 23 Toyota crew chief, understands the gravity of the situation all too well. He’s been forthcoming about Wallace’s progress with the team, offering intriguing insights into their strategy and development.

The No. 23 Toyota crew chief twists his tongue against Bubba Wallace

From his early days in Bandolero and Legends cars, Bubba Wallace has been known for his unbridled passion for speed and an unwavering dedication to his craft. This came to the forefront during a recent episode of the “MRN Crew Call” podcast, where host Steve Post probed Bubba’s crew chief, Bootie Barker, about Wallace’s evolving temperament and skills.

Steve Post asked, “He’s emotional, he’s passionate, he’s driven, he’s all of these things, but the last two weeks I heard things from him at Watkins Glen, where he talked about seven weeks turning into two, and at Daytona, where he talked after the race about controlling he can control try not to worry about anything, Have you seen? You talked about being serious but have you seen the evolution and development of Bubba as a driver and as a young man actually?”

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In response, addressing Wallace’s emotional and driven nature, Barker noted a visible growth in the driver, both on and off the track: “We always have these aspirations it’s just been a journey and an evolution, and you know, just lot of things come together. It’s always been in him.”

Despite this, Barker didn’t shy away from acknowledging the team’s struggles, particularly pointing to a pit road mishap at Michigan. He made it clear that while making the playoffs is an accomplishment, the journey is far from over.

Bootie said, But we still have a long way to go. We have a long way to go, and we know it. But the main thing is we’ve got a shot.“

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The sentiment is not universally shared, however. Some NASCAR insiders remain skeptical about Wallace’s championship potential, questioning his ability to handle the high-pressure situations that come with playoff racing.

NASCAR insider eliminates Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s only playoff qualifier from his favorites

The closing stages of the season were nail-biting, to say the least, for Bubba Wallace and his playoff aspirations. With two road courses rounding out the schedule—a type of track where Wallace had struggled consistently throughout the year—his playoff chances looked tenuous.

Yet, thanks to Chris Buescher’s victory at Daytona, Team Michael Jordan was able to hang on to 16th place and secure a playoff berth. However, not everyone is optimistic about Wallace’s chances going forward. Doug Rice, the host of Fast Talk by PRN, expressed reservations about the team’s ability to advance.

Doug said, “I think Bubba… there’s a reason that that team is the 16th seed. They’re the 16th-best team out there. I don’t see them jumping up into the top 12. Maybe they surprise me, Kansas is a good racetrack for him, [where] he could possibly do something.”

READ MORE: “I Start Crying”- Ryan Preece’s Daytona Horror Jogs Kenny Wallace’s “God Awful” Memories

Given the unpredictable nature of NASCAR, anything can happen. Can Bubba Wallace defy the odds and advance to the next round?