By Jessica Matthews 
It all came down to Darlington.
One race to decide everything.
When Bubba Wallace falls short of playoff cutline in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series, fans saw a season of promise end in heartbreak.
The data tells a clear story beyond the headlines.
This wasn’t just about one bad race at Darlington.
It was a full season of missed opportunities, strategy calls that backfired, and tough breaks that left the 23XI Racing driver watching the championship battle from the sidelines.
The Numbers Tell The Tale: Wallace’s 2024 Season Performance
The stats reveal a painful irony for the No. 23 team:
- 0 wins across 26 regular season races
- 6 top five finishes (career high)
- 14 top ten finishes (career high)
- 1 pole position at Darlington
- 139 laps led throughout the season
- Average finish of 15.3 (best mark of his Cup career)
- 3 DNFs at critical points in the season
These numbers actually represent Wallace’s strongest NASCAR Cup Series season.
Yet in a championship format where winning means everything, career highs mean nothing without trophies.
The Mid Season Collapse That Buried His Chances
The 2024 campaign started with genuine promise as Wallace grabbed impressive top fives at Daytona (5th) and Atlanta (5th).
His short track game improved with a strong run at Martinsville (4th).
He even showed road course progress with a top five at Indianapolis.
Then came the stretch that killed his playoff hopes.
During a brutal nine race stretch mid season, Wallace scored eight finishes outside the top 10.
Points evaporated.
Momentum vanished.
By late June at Nashville, Wallace sat more than 50 points below the playoff cutline after Joey Logano tightened the grid with a win.
The contrast with teammate Tyler Reddick made this slump even more glaring.
While Wallace fought to stay in playoff contention, Reddick secured the regular season championship.
Same team.
Same cars.
Completely different results.
The Darlington Disaster: How The Final Race Unraveled
The Southern 500 represented Wallace’s last chance to save his season.
After Harrison Burton shocked everyone with his Daytona win the week before, Wallace entered the finale trailing Chris Buescher by 21 points for the final position.
The race began perfectly:
- Wallace won the pole at NASCAR’s toughest track
- Led the first 37 laps with authority
- Finished Stage 1 in 2nd place (banking 9 crucial points)
- Secured a solid 10th in Stage 2 (1 more point)
Through two stages, Wallace ran exactly the race he needed.
Then came the moment everything fell apart.
During a late caution, Wallace’s team chose to stay out on worn tyres while competitors pitted for fresh rubber.
The car immediately went from competitive to “so tight” that Wallace couldn’t hold position.
Track position disappeared lap by lap.
With 24 laps remaining, Wallace got caught in a multi car crash when Ty Gibbs, Denny Hamlin, and Josh Berry went three wide into Turn 1.
Wallace limped home to 16th place.
Meanwhile, Chase Briscoe executed perfectly, seized the lead with 26 laps to go, and claimed the win and final playoff spot.
Season over.
Four Critical Failures: Why The Playoff Dream Died
Let’s break down what really went wrong:
1. No Trips To Victory Lane
In NASCAR’s win first playoff system, victories trump everything.
Wallace hadn’t won since Kansas in September 2022.
Without that automatic berth, he spent the whole season vulnerable to surprise winners stealing spots.
That’s exactly what happened when Burton took Daytona and Briscoe claimed Darlington.
2. Execution Failures When It Counted
Speed alone doesn’t get you to the playoffs.
Wallace and the No. 23 team struggled with:
- Stage points: Never won a single stage all season
- Car adjustments: Performance often fell off during races
- Pit road: Ranked 15th in average crew time
- Race strategy: The tyre call at Darlington being the most costly mistake
After missing the cutoff, Wallace simply said: “Wasn’t good enough; simple as that.”
No excuses. No spin. Just truth.
3. Wrong Place, Wrong Time
Racing luck plays its part:
- At Michigan, Wallace ran well before getting collected in someone else’s wreck
- Caution timing repeatedly worked against the team’s strategy
- The Darlington crash came right after losing crucial track position
Good teams create their own luck, but sometimes racing just breaks your heart.
4. NASCAR’s Unforgiving Format
The current championship system rewards one thing: winning.
When Harrison Burton stole a playoff spot with his surprise Daytona win, Wallace’s path narrowed dramatically.
Instead of three spots available on points, only two remained.
When Briscoe took Darlington, that was it.
Game over regardless of points position.
Great for TV ratings. Brutal for bubble drivers.
A Tale Of Two Teammates: The 23XI Racing Contrast
Nothing shows Wallace’s frustrating season better than looking at teammate Tyler Reddick’s performance.
While Wallace battled for the final playoff spot, Reddick:
- Won multiple races
- Took the regular season championship
- Became a genuine title contender
Same shop.
Same resources.
Vastly different outcomes.
This stark contrast suggests the No. 23 team’s execution and consistency simply didn’t match their potential.
Team co owner Michael Jordan watched the Darlington heartbreak firsthand, later saying “Believe me I’m not satisfied by no means.”
2025 Outlook: Can Wallace Turn It Around?
Missing the 2024 playoffs hurts even more after Wallace made his first playoff appearance in 2023.
For Wallace to succeed in 2025, these areas need immediate attention:
- Early season wins to remove playoff pressure
- Stage points every week
- Better strategic calls
- Consistent performance without the mid season slumps
Wallace has proven he can win at this level, as his victories at Talladega (2021) and Kansas (2022) show.
The talent exists.
The equipment works.
Now it’s about putting together a complete season without the fatal flaws that doomed 2024.
- Also Read: Vault Opener NYT Crossword Solved.
NASCAR Playoff System FAQs
How exactly does the NASCAR playoff cutline work?
The NASCAR Cup Series takes 16 drivers into the playoffs. Race winners automatically qualify if they’re in the top 30 in points. Any remaining spots go to the highest drivers in points without wins. The bottom four get eliminated after every three playoff races until four remain for the championship race.
Has Bubba Wallace made the NASCAR playoffs before?
Yes, Wallace qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs for the first time in 2023. The 2024 season would have been his second straight playoff appearance.
How many NASCAR Cup wins does Bubba Wallace have?
As of the 2024 season, Wallace has two career NASCAR Cup Series wins: Talladega (October 2021) and Kansas (September 2022).
Who owns Bubba Wallace’s race team?
Wallace drives the No. 23 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing, co owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and fellow NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin.
Did Wallace improve statistically in 2024 despite missing the playoffs?
Yes, Wallace posted career bests in several categories: top five finishes (6), top ten finishes (14), and average finish position (15.3) in 2024, making the playoff miss particularly painful.
The Checkered Flag
When Bubba Wallace falls short of playoff cutline in 2024, it represents more than just a disappointing end to a promising season.
It shows how NASCAR’s championship format can be both brilliant and brutal.
It reveals how even career best performance means nothing without wins.
It demonstrates how a few key moments and decisions can undo months of hard work.
For Wallace and 23XI Racing, 2025 becomes a season where almost good enough won’t cut it anymore.
The talent shows on track.
The speed exists in the cars.
Now execution must match potential.
Because in today’s NASCAR, Bubba Wallace falls short of playoff cutline serves as a harsh reminder that being pretty good just isn’t good enough when championships are on the line.