Seizing an opportunity when it arrives is an art that not many specialize in. But the ones who do, have some wonderful success stories to narrate. Exactly like Bubba Wallace, who swooped in like a shark while one of the NASCAR drivers suffered a devastating injury.

In an episode of ‘All the Smoke’, Bubba Wallace reminisced about his 2017 Cup Series debut. He shared that for the past couple of years, he and his team were not able to register even a single win at Xfinity. Moreover, the team entered the 2017 season with a lack of funding and sponsorship.

Surprisingly, the very same year turned out to be a success for him and his team. For almost the first eight races, Wallace and his team gave their best and climbed up to the fourth position in the points table. But just then, Wallace came across an opportunity that was too good to resist.

He shared, “Going into Kansas, the #43 car in the Cup race, the driver (Aric Almirola) at that time broke his back in a crash. And that was a Ford car, I was driving for Ford at the time. I got on the phone and I was like ‘I hope he’s alright but I need to be in that ride. I want to fill in until he gets back.”

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And after his call, his agents began working on it. Fortunately enough, it all worked out. According to Wallace, he put up some of his best races as a substitute until everything came crashing down.

Bubba Wallace on why he was ‘on the couch’ for weeks after the #43 gig

Although Bubba Wallace seized an opportunity to drive in the #43, he was still a substitute. While talking about a phone call he received after driving the #43, Wallace revealed, “By I think, it was race number 11 or 12, we got the call like ‘Hey, it’s your time next weekend at Pocono to drive the #43. But hey also, you’re done racing Xfinity like we’re shutting it down.”

Surprised by the decision, Wallace said that he realized he was in for the next 4 races but his ride is actually gone. He further revealed, “So, I was a substitute and put together our best races, it was good. And then they were like Aric’s back, the guy who broke his back he’s back. So, thanks for your time. See you later.”

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And hence, because Aric was back and he had lost his Xfinity ride, Wallace had to spend four-five weeks on the couch without any races. However, soon things began looking good. He shared, “Michigan rolled around and a truck team called who said, ‘Hey! We want you to come drive my truck. (I was) like ‘Okay.’ And we went out there and we won it.”