Bubba Wallace projects his “grind” mindset upon return to the United States

Following an unprecedented race in Mexico City, Bubba Wallace has returned to the US. Despite a hectic traveling schedule, the 23XI Racing driver said he's heading straight to the track in preparation for the next race at Pocono Raceway.

Wallace, 31, concluded the Viva México 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in 12th place after starting from 25th. After 16 races, he has amassed three top-fives and six top-10s, enough to stay above the playoff cutline in 13th (playoff standings).

In an X post, the Alabama native shared an update on his mindset after returning to home soil.

“Just landed back home. Heading straight to the track to get after it again tonight. Grind never stops👊🏾,” Wallace wrote.

Bubba Wallace

@BubbaWallace

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Just landed back home. Heading straight to the track to get after it again tonight. Grind never stops👊🏾

His 12th-place outing led the 23XI Racing camp in Mexico City. Teammates Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst finished 20th and 29th, respectively. Shane van Gisbergen, meanwhile, won the race to secure a playoff spot, narrowing Bubba Wallace's chances to return to the postseason.

The last time the #23 Toyota driver competed in the playoffs was two years ago. He advanced to the Round of 12 before bouncing out in the Charlotte Roval race. His place in the team was questioned by some last year after Reddick qualified for the Championship 4.

Bubba Wallace is currently fighting for a playoff spot against drivers above the cutline, including Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Chase Briscoe, Alex Bowman, and Chris Buescher. Ryan Preece, Michael McDowell, AJ Allmendinger, and Kyle Busch are also in the mix to potentially jump into the postseason picture.

Bubba Wallace drives the #23 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing - Source: Imagn

For now, the NASCAR Cup Series grid gears up for the Pocono race happening on June 22. Amazon Prime will commence the 160-lap race coverage at 2:00 p.m. ET.

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“We won't have to run into the same issue again”: Bubba Wallace on racing outside the United States in the future

Bubba Wallace shared his thoughts on NASCAR hosting international races in the future. While the 31-year-old approves of the campaign, he pointed out that NASCAR should do a better job of handling logistics, especially after some teams had traveling issues from the US to Mexico City last weekend.

In a pre-race interview at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the 23XI Racing driver said (via Cup Scene on YouTube):

“I think this is a massive step for us to be here in this demographic... in this market, and I think if we can iron out the kinks of logistics and traveling. We've all seen the travel nightmares that some teams have had over the last 24 hours.” [9:29]

"I think if we can all come together and come up with some solid plan that we won’t have to run into that issue again. Nothing is ever the same. I think it can be done. I think the leadership has done a good job with everything that is in place for us to get here and put on an event for the local crowd here in Mexico,” he added.

The 2025 Viva México 250 was the first points-paying Cup Series race outside the US in over six decades. The race weekend also marked the return of the Xfinity Series to the 2.42-mile road course circuit since 2008.