Bubba Wallace is likely the most famous driver to be in a new location for the 2021 season in NASCAR. After leaving Richard Petty Motorsports, it was unclear where Wallace would end up for the 2021 season. There were rumors that Chip Ganassi Racing was offering the 42 car as a ride for him, but Wallace ended up with 23 XI Racing. The team will be a joint venture between Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. (23 the number Jordan made famous, and 11 the number Hamlin currently drives under).
Wallace also brought a large amount of cash with him to the 23 car. Although there are no confirmed numbers, McDonalds, Columbia, Root Insurance, Dr Pepper, Door Dash and others all signed on to sponsor the race car. This is huge news, they announced they had already sold full sponsorship for the 2021 year just weeks after announcing the team.
It is clear that this is a team that wants to be a competitive Toyota right alongside Joe Gibbs racing, they will have a technical alliance that is likely already the strongest out of any alliances in racing. For Hamlin, although he’s empowering one of his peers to beat him on race day, he also has financial stake in this, meaning Hamlin would definitely prefer the 23 in victory lane if not his own 11 car.
For Wallace, he knows what is at stake. His strong stances on things political and social have rubbed some the wrong way. Some do not like him for his beliefs, many will try to argue that he is not a talented race car driver which is, to say the least, wrong. Winning his first race in the Cup Series in his new ride will definitely be enough to shut up his doubters, but the best part of Bubba is that he isn’t motivated by those who despise him, out of any athlete in any sport, no athlete has cared less what those who have criticisms could say. Wallace is his own man and does not answer to the fanbase.
He put pressure on himself when he recently made public that his goal is to get at least two wins this year. That is a goal that is definitely able to be reached by Wallace, who rarely failed to outdrive the 43 car last year. Wallace made a mid pack car competitive many times. The final race of the regular season at Daytona even had him in position to win the race, until a bump to the back of his car and a caution shortly after took away that chance.
What is clear is that Bubba is capable of winning and there is no actual data or evidence to prove otherwise. Wallace is a playoff contender in 2021.
Wallace will prove he is not just a talented driver, but one of the best, for Bubba I predict 3 wins, and 11 Top 10’s. This will be a breakout year for the driver. His household name status will remain unchanged, but this time he will be known for being one of the drivers to watch out for each and every Sunday.
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