Bubba Wallace enters crucial Coca-Cola 600 with ‘All-Star’ momentum

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — After putting together an impressive NASCAR All-Star Race performance, Bubba Wallace carries the momentum into his biggest opportunity of the season.

Finishing second to Ty Gibbs in the NASCAR All-Star Open, Wallace qualified for the All-Star Race and held off hard-chargers Justin Haley and Josh Berry. Fan vote winner Noah Gragson joined Wallace and Gibbs in Sunday’s main event.

The No. 23 car started in the back of the field alongside Kyle Larson, who couldn’t qualify due to Indy 500 practice and qualifying. Wallace was methodical but aggressive Sunday night, holding off eventual race winner Joey Logano to stay on the lead lap in the first half.

After starting on the option soft tires and switching during an early caution, Wallace then joined most of the field back on the red soft tire for the final 100 laps. Lap times remained consistent as the soft tire compound didn’t wear as much as thought in Sunday’s main event. As a result, Wallace worked his way up to sixth at the checkered flag.

Wallace’s solid run didn’t come as a surprise. He wheeled the No. 23 car to a second-place finish in last season’s All-Star Race at the historic short track. That finish came on the original surface, which was resurfaced over the off-season. However, the track maintained much of its character after the repave. 

While Sunday’s result won’t count for points, it continues to build on recent momentum. Wallace has finished in the top 10 in three of the last six races. It’s a mark of consistency coming at a good time for the No. 23 car. 

Heading into next weekend’s Coca-Cola 600, Wallace’s momentum could be huge on multiple levels. 

Wallace started seventh and finished fourth in the 600 last year. The 600 is also the biggest points opportunity in the regular season with four stages in the race. It offers an extra opportunity for Wallace to gain valuable points. Wallace has excelled on mile and a half tracks and next Sunday could be a huge one for him. 

Bubba Wallace is the first driver below the cutline at -6 points going into the Coca Cola 600. NASCAR’s longest race is set to go green next Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on FOX.

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