Hours Before Billionaire Michael Jordan’s Approval, Bubba Wallace Received 5-Word Ultimatum From His NASCAR Team Employee

Published 08/30/2023, 8:49 PM EDT

As the NASCAR crowd concluded its exciting Daytona stint last week, the focus was not just on the regular-season championship and Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Martin Truex Jr. The spotlight was diverted to 23XI Racing’s driver, Bubba Wallace, who found himself teetering on the precipice of destiny, occupying the precarious final playoff spot.

The Daytona track transformed into a battleground of high stakes as competitors aimed to dislodge the No. 23 Toyota Camry from P16 and pry open the coveted gates to the playoffs. With a repeat victory and a display of controlled, calculated racing, he secured his grip on that crucial last playoff berth.

Amidst this high-pressure scenario, a revealing glimpse into the inner workings emerged through radio excerpts as the world got a glimpse of the intense ultimatum delivered to Wallace mere moments before the race’s commencement.

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Wallace’s battle for the playoffs brings glory to Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s team

The stage for the Daytona showdown was set a week ahead, during the race at Watkins Glen. The #23 driver, Bubba Wallace, left New York with a triumphant aura, amassing a reassuring 32-point buffer over the playoff cutline in the countdown to the regular-season climax at Daytona.

Despite being seemingly secured within the playoff bubble, Wallace’s journey to Daytona proved far from serene. Stepping into the Daytona Oval carried the weight of an entire team, and the tension palpable in Wallace’s candid admissions about seeking solace from Indycar champion Scott Dixon became Wallace’s pillar of mental fortitude as Wallace recounted Dixon’s counsel.

Bubba said, “Shout out to Scott Dixon. I actually talked to him this morning about the mental piece of it. It’s hard when you climb in for a road course race and tell yourself you are going to crash, and you are going to suck. When you tell yourself that every time, he basically told me, ‘Shut the hell up. I’m here for a reason and trust in myself and I’m here for a reason. Believe in myself.’”

Yet, the time for introspection gave way to the roar of engines. Wallace had to convert pressure into performance. And he did. the credit belongs in part to his crew chief Bootie Barker’s five-word pre-race decree: “Hell yeah man. No prisoners.”

The command cut through the chaos, spurring Wallace to action. The ensuing three-hour battle on the Daytona track unfolded and as the checkered flag beckoned, Wallace emerged as the unwavering possessor of the final playoff berth.

Wallace’s impressive feat undoubtedly earned him the boss’s profound appreciation, as 2023 marked a dual playoff debut for Jordan’s 23XI in its brief three-year run. A post-race video captured a heartwarming moment as Wallace and team owner Michael Jordan shared an embrace, with the basketball legend radiating pride in his driver and team.

Waves of Triumph: Wallace’s euphoric post-race radio

The post-race radio waves echoed a stark contrast from the pre-race tension, with Freddie Kraft’s voice exclaiming, “All right boys we are on,” radiating the palpable euphoria that surrounded Bubba Wallace. As the “yeahs” resonated, it was evident that the pursuit had borne fruit, with the playoff berth firmly within Wallace’s grasp.

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With the playoff berth secured, Wallace seized the moment to extend gratitude to RFK Racing‘s Chris Buescher, whose victory at Daytona left the door open for Wallace. In a post-race radio snippet, Wallace humorously declared, “I’ve never loved Chris Buescher so much. I may forgive him for Dover now,” harking back to their intense battle as teammates at Dover 2015.

Post-race, Wallace’s emotions overflowed as he expressed, “This is special for our team. 23XI in its third year, getting both cars into playoffs.”

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He highlighted the team’s unwavering spirit and their ability to overcome adversity, a testimony to their resilience. “No matter how much we set ourselves back, we know that we have a kick a** group, and we can bounce back from anything.”

WATCH THIS STORY | Michael Jordan’s star Bubba Wallace Makes a Somber Confession Highlighting His Inferiority to the 23XI Racing Teammate

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Written by:

Rashi Shetty is a NASCAR author at EssentiallySports. Her passion for the sport extends beyond the thrill of on-track racing, as she finds the behind-the-scenes aspects of car development and sportsmanship equally captivating. Her favorite motorsports moment of 2023 is the NASCAR Garage 56 entry at Le Mans.

Edited by:

Sharan Nair

Hours Before Billionaire Michael Jordan’s Approval, Bubba Wallace Received 5-Word Ultimatum From His NASCAR Team Employee

Wallace’s battle for the playoffs brings glory to Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s team

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Waves of Triumph: Wallace’s euphoric post-race radio