Bubba Wallace’s tough weekend at Texas Motor Speedway started early. The 23XI Racing driver spun out during Saturday practice for the Würth 400, slamming the wall and forcing his team to unload a backup car.
Wallace will miss qualifying and start Sunday’s race from the back of the field at one of NASCAR’s most demanding tracks.
Texas Motor Speedway has earned its reputation as a high-speed, high-stakes venue where small mistakes quickly turn costly.
Wallace was running fifth-fastest in his practice group, pushing hard with speeds over 188 mph, when the No. 23 Toyota snapped loose in Turns 1 and 2. The rear stepped out suddenly, sending him backward into the outside wall and ending his session prematurely.
1. What Happened During Bubba Wallace’s Texas Practice Crash
© Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
According to reports, the incident unfolded midway through Group 1 practice. Wallace had logged more than 21 laps and looked competitive before the spin. He described the moment as surprising, telling reporters it “came around out of nowhere.” “This is a very unforgiving place,” Wallace said afterward. “It was around before I even knew it. I knew I was loose in the moment, went to correct it, and it was too late.”
The damage required switching to the backup, meaning a long afternoon of setup work for the crew and no chance to qualify. Starting position and pit stall selection will now be major disadvantages on a track where track position is everything.
This crash comes at a challenging point in Wallace’s 2026 season. After a promising start with stage wins and a runner-up finish early on, he has slipped outside the top 10 in points. Recent races at Martinsville and Talladega saw costly mistakes, including multi-car incidents that highlighted the fine line between aggression and overdriving.
Texas has historically been kind to drivers who start deep in the field. Six of last year’s top 10 finishers began 24th or worse. However, the combination of a backup car, poor pit selection, and the need to charge through traffic adds real pressure.
2. Bubba Wallace’s Recent Form and History at Texas
Wallace entered this weekend with three finishes of 34th or worse in his last five races, including a couple of DNFs. That inconsistency has tested both his confidence and the team’s momentum. Yet he has shown resilience before, bouncing back from adversity throughout his career.
The Alabama native has experience at Texas and understands its treacherous nature. “You just have to be smart about it,” he noted. “Coming here a handful of times, you know where to be, putting yourself in the right spot to capitalize.”
His willingness to push the limits in practice reflects the competitive fire that has defined his journey from early-career crossroads. Now, he is a full-time Cup Series regular with 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.
Fans following Wallace’s career have seen these ups and downs. The emotional weight of a practice crash at a place like Texas isn’t lost on anyone who’s watched NASCAR long enough. It’s not just sheet metal; it’s hours of preparation, crew effort, and the driver’s own drive to prove doubters wrong.
3. Team and Driver Outlook Heading into Race Day
Despite the setback, Wallace sounded determined rather than defeated. “Looking at the positives of the day, erase the negatives and go drive hard tomorrow,” he said. “Just need to execute all day tomorrow. We’re starting at the back, no good pit stall. The odds are against us, so we will see how mentally tough we are.” He added that he hadn’t crashed in practice in quite some time, framing the incident as a learning moment: “The positive of that is, I pushed the limits, found the limit, and it won’t happen again.”
23XI Racing will have its work cut out adjusting the backup car overnight. Texas rewards consistency and smart strategy as much as raw speed, especially with the aero and tire wear challenges the 1.5-mile oval presents. Wallace sits in a position where every point matters as the regular season progresses toward the playoffs. A strong recovery run could salvage valuable stage points and a solid finish, keeping his championship hopes alive. A poor result, however, would widen the gap to the cutoff.
His recent incidents involving other drivers, like the Martinsville pile-up and the Talladega “big one,” have drawn attention, but Wallace has taken ownership in the past. This weekend offers another chance to show growth: patience in traffic, clean air management, and avoiding trouble as you move forward. Sunday’s Würth 400 presented by Liqui Moly will test Wallace and the No. 23 team in every way possible. From the drop of the green flag, they’ll be fighting for position on a track that punishes errors harshly. Success will hinge on execution, crew adjustments during stops, and Wallace’s ability to stay out of trouble while charging through the pack.
NASCAR fans know these stories often produce the best racing. Wallace has the talent and support system to turn this around. Whether he can deliver a memorable comeback at Texas remains to be seen, but the motivation is clearly there. As the sun sets on another Texas night, the focus shifts to race day. For Bubba Wallace, it’s about channeling disappointment into determination.