By: Alex Andersen
Bubba Wallace made history at Kansas Speedway on Sunday. This time without the aid of rain.
Wallace becomes the first black driver to win multiple NASCAR Cup Series races, driving for Sunday’s runner-up Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing.
“Just thankful for the opportunity,” said a pumped-up Bubba Wallace to NBC Sports. “And I’m thankful a lot of people will shut the hell up.”
23XI Racing swept the Cup Series races at Kansas this year with Kurt Busch’s victory in May and Sunday’s victory with Wallace. This win advances the 45 to the next round of the Owner’s Playoffs.
Future 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick appeared to be the early favorite until a right rear tire went flat while leading off Turn 2.
Another playoff driver with issues was Kevin Harvick, who was pushed into the wall on lap 33 and is now last on the playoff grid, 35 points below the cutline.
Later in the race, Kyle Busch spun in the same spot Harvick had issues hurting his race and putting Busch two points below the playoff cutline.
Besides Wallace who was strong all day at Kansas, fellow Toyota driver Christopher Bell won Stage 1 while Stage 2 went to Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman.
During Stage 2, it seemed that Alex Bowman was on his way to his second victory of the season, until Wallace began to close on Bowman with around 70 laps to go. Wallace took the lead on lap 200 and never looked back.
As Bubba Wallace took the win at Kansas, the remainder of the top-five finishers were Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Alex Bowman and Martin Truex Jr.
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs continue on Saturday, September 17th at Bristol Motor Speedway at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
Featured image from @JeffBurton on Twitter.
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