As the NASCAR regular season draws to a close, Bubba Wallace finds himself in a precarious position. Despite a recent surge in performance, Wallace is now on the verge of missing the playoffs. He’s 21 points below the playoff cut line and is entering the season finale at Darlington Raceway with his hopes hanging by a thread.

Wallace’s frustration is palpable. His teammate, Tyler Reddick, is competing for the regular-season championship, while Wallace is fighting just to make the playoffs. “It’s unacceptable,” Wallace stated bluntly, expressing disappointment in his season’s performance. Despite leading 16 laps at Daytona, Wallace’s chances were derailed by a crash on lap 151, which also took out several other competitors.

Now, Wallace is essentially in a must-win situation at Darlington, a track where he has seen success, with four consecutive top-10 finishes, including a seventh-place finish earlier this season. Team owner Denny Hamlin remains cautiously optimistic, believing Wallace could still make it if everything aligns perfectly at Darlington.

Hamlin, who has been in Wallace’s position before, emphasized the importance of consistency throughout the season. While Wallace’s late-season improvements are notable, Hamlin warns that it might be too little, too late. He pointed out that the first 15 races of the season are just as crucial as the final stretch, and falling behind early can have lasting consequences.

As the final race before the playoffs approaches, the pressure on Wallace is immense. His recent form shows promise, but whether it will be enough to secure a playoff spot remains to be seen. Wallace’s performance at Darlington will be the ultimate test of his resilience and ability to deliver under pressure. Can he pull off a victory or at least make up the points deficit? NASCAR fans will be eagerly watching to find out.