Bubba Wallace Labels Gateway Race “Frustrating and Embarrassing” for Cup Drivers

23XI Racing veteran Bubba Wallace has shared his thoughts on the chaos last weekend at Gateway Cup Series race.

Bubba Wallace Labels Gateway Race “Frustrating and Embarrassing” for Cup Drivers

Bubba Wallace (Via IMAGO)

The NASCAR Cup Series race last Sunday at Gateway was one of the most chaotic races of the 2026 season. It featured 18 cautions, the most ever this season, and two red flags, sending the race into double overtime. 23XI Racing veteran Bubba Wallace shared his thoughts on how the whole garage performed on the day.

The No:23 Toyota was involved in three separate incidents on the day and all of them happened at times where he was running upfront, with a top-5 finish potential. He was clearly shocked about how much chaotic the event was and how the endless caution cycle didn’t allow the majority in the field to get into their rhythm.

Oh my God … I need to go back and look. I can only imagine what the other 35 of us are thinking, you know, caution after caution, just trying to get into a rhythm.

Bubba Wallace said about the chaotic race.

The veteran recalled the two major incident that ruined his day and relegated his to a P14 finish. He admitted that he got crowded in those moments and with everyone fighting for the same positions, he had nothing to do but get collected. Bubba Wallace admitted that the features of the Next-Gen car, when cars are fighting close played a critical role in the chaos.

We’re all fighting forward and this package was kind of a handful, but the two instances I had — I had a great run on the restart of the 19 [Briscoe], and again, this is with me without seeing it all. I felt like I got crowded. I need to go back and see if I actually had more room to get up or whatnot. So, it’s just — we’re all fighting for the same real estate.

Bubba Wallace added.

Later in the same conversation, the star driver admitted that the chaos was frustrating and embarrassing for the whole garage, as many couldn’t help themselves but make contact with their rivals. Everyone was running aggressively, including the veteran himself and that needs to be avoided in the future.

Everybody hit everything out here today. Super frustrating and embarrassing for us as Cup drivers. Now you can’t help but brake problems. Those are all an issue within themselves, but just running over people, getting in those. I was a part of multiple and it was frustrating. So just is what it is. We’re all aggressive.

Bubba Wallace asserted.
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Bubba Wallace has high hopes for the short track races in the chase

Ahead of the race week, Wallace talked about his chances in the chase and admitted that their performance in the short tracks with the fats Camry would be key to their success. He us unhappy with their current status but has hope they can bounce back.

Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace (Via IMAGO)

The feel-wise is what us drivers chase — and I’m still not happy with the feel. I’m pleasantly pleased with the pace at the short tracks that we’ve been to. There’s a lot we can take from all these places and see what we can do.

Bubba Wallace said.

The comments from the veteran racer shows how tough the chase is going to be for every driver in the championship fight under the new format. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the star driver in the coming days.

Also Read: Denny Hamlin Brads Corey Day an “Idiot” Over Gateway Wreck