Over the past month, 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace has been at the center of a whirlwind of attention from fans and critics alike. As the regular season finale at Daytona approached, he was undeniably the most talked-about driver in the series. Overshadowing the RFK Racing duo’s impressive 1–2 finish at the event, the celebrations in the #23 garage were absolutely electric. Leading up to Daytona, Wallace’s chances of making it into the 2023 playoffs were uncertain, with the 16th spot up for grabs. Yet, on race day, Wallace delivered a solid and safe performance, securing that last spot and making his playoff debut.

In 2022, Wallace took part in the playoffs race at Kansas, where he clinched an impressive victory, holding off his boss Denny Hamlin. With the Cup Series paddock returning to Kansas after the playoff opener and the fandom’s polarized views surrounding Wallace, could we be in for a thrilling sequel to last year’s race?

Bubba Wallace’s dominant victory and defiant message silenced the doubters

The 2022 season was a tumultuous one for 23XI Racing. Their seasoned driver, Kurt Busch, had to step away from the seat of the #45 Toyota after a harrowing crash in the qualifying race in Pocono resulted in a concussion. This led to a hiatus aimed at his recovery. Remarkably, Busch had already secured a playoff spot with a victory in the regular season race in Kansas, ensuring his spot in the postseason. However, upon his temporary departure from the cockpit, he relinquished his playoff spot to the 17th driver, Ryan Blaney, while the #45 team still remained in contention for the owner’s championship.

To make the best of the situation, 23XI Racing put Wallace, their regular #23 driver, behind the wheel of the #45 Toyota. This decision placed Wallace in his first-ever playoff race at Kansas, even though he had not personally qualified for the playoffs. Leading up to this race, the naysayers were vocal, with many debating the legitimacy of Wallace’s first win, which had occurred at the Talladega Superspeedway on a chaotic, rainy day. Wallace faced criticism amidst a less-than-ideal season, but he was determined to silence the doubters. Wallace achieved just that when he drove the #45 Toyota to the victory lane in Kansas, securing the team’s place in the playoff’s Round of 12.

Wallace’s second victory was nothing short of impressive, with a 1.137-second lead on the 1.5-mile-long track. As he crossed the finish line, Wallace exclaimed over his team radio, “What are they going to say now!?” His victory celebration echoed his sentiments, and he later told NBC Sports, “Thanks for the opportunity, and thankful to shut the hell up a lot of people.”

With this triumphant win, Wallace had sent a clear message to his naysayers. With another trip to Kansas on the horizon and his own playoff berth for the #23 team, Wallace undoubtedly has his sights set on another win, especially after a winless 2023 season. Wallace and his fans are hoping to replicate last year’s success in Kansas and give a definitive response to the haters.

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Bubba Wallace faces haters once again, this time over bold new look for Kansas

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Bubba Wallace knows all too well that as a driver in NASCAR’s top tier, he will always face unsympathetic criticism. The latest target for the naysayers is Wallace’s Kansas paint scheme. The unveiling of Bubba’s upcoming paint scheme was an exciting moment for 23XI Racing fans. The official Instagram handle of the team shared the news, stating, “@BubbaWallace and @23xiracing look to bring the heat to Kansas Speedway this Sunday in the bold and gold Columbia Omni-HeatTM Infinity No. 23 Toyota Camry TRD.” The new sponsor, Columbia Omni-HeatTM, is set to adorn the #23 car, replacing the familiar McDonald’s red with a sleek black and gold livery.

While many fans warmly welcomed this change and admired the bold design, the haters wasted no time in expressing their dissenting opinions. Comments such as “Bubba’s schemes been lacking this year, I’m a little sad about it. Felt like there used to be so many good ones” and “Damn what happened to the scheme that JHN ran at Homestead last year….that one was absolutely incredible and everything since then has been a letdown lol” flooded Instagram.

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For Wallace, staying focused on his goals and delivering stellar performances remains his top priority, no matter the color of his car or the opinions of his detractors.