BROOKLYN, Mich.: Despite Mother Nature raining on the FireKeepers Casino 400 parade, Bubba Wallace’s move to take the lead on Lap 35 at Michigan International Speedway was worth the price of admission.
While Denny Hamlin was battling Kyle Larson for the lead, Wallace swooped underneath the Nos. 5 and 11 to steal the top spot.
Wallace, who started the race fifth, humbly described the pass.
“I honestly didn’t do anything, just took the run,” said Wallace, who was standing in the 23XI Racing pit box looking over data during the rain delay. “Those guys, we looked at it, we were 20 miles an hour faster at the line.
“At that point, you just have to go where it’s opened and hopefully nobody comes down and makes a crazy block. And we were able to get the lead there.”
Sunday marked the third-straight race Wallace has led laps at MIS. Unfortunately, his time at the point lasted for only five circuits. Hamlin, who was running second, broke loose behind Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota and spun off Turn 4.
“The car felt great,” Hamlin said. “I just got in a really bad aero spot there and all my grip went away. So, it’s just unfortunate. I was trying to get some runs there. I was trying to work over Larson—and then trying to work over the 23—and just made a mistake there.”
Wallace’s crew chief, Bootie Barker, elected to pit. Following a solid stop by the No. 23 crew, Wallace was the third car out of the pits and lined up eighth for the Lap 42 restart. With four laps to determine Stage 1, Wallace picked up five spots and finished third.
Following five circuits under caution, NASCAR red-flagged the race.
“Our McDonald’s Toyota Camry is fast,” Wallace added. “Not really a fan of it in clean air right now, so we’ll have to make some adjustments. Every car we passed, I got a little bit freer and a little bit freer. We struggled with that the last two years here. So we need to figure it out.
“All in all, it was a good day, a good start to our weekend. We got some stage points and we’ll go on and race again (on Monday).”
Wallace’s best result at the two-mile track came in 2022 when he finished second. Unfortunately, he will have to soldier on without one of his biggest cheerleaders—Michael Jordan. Although the 23XI Racing co-owner was in attendance on Sunday, he’ll be unable to return for Monday’s conclusion.
Still, Jordan admires the organization’s growth over the first three years.
“I’m very impressed,” Jordan told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “I think Denny has done a good job. I’m just the money guy. I just support them. I’m a fan and I think he’s done a good job and let’s keep moving.”
Follow Lee Spencer on Twitter @CandiceSpencer or email her at: [email protected].
