What Bubba Wallace said after Sunday’s Cup race crash at Pocono.
Bubba Wallace Speaks Out After Pocono Heartbreak: ‘It Is What It Is, But Damn, We Had Speed’”
At a track known for its treacherous turns and punishing layout, Bubba Wallace’s race at Pocono was over before it truly began. After battling through a tough weekend of mechanical issues, including a catastrophic brake failure mid-race, Wallace stepped out of his No. 23 car with a mix of exhaustion, disappointment, and quiet pride. What followed was a short, fragmented but revealing interview that gave fans a window into the mind of a driver who’s not just surviving the NASCAR grind — but trying to thrive within it.
“Looks Like a Workout”
The first words out of Wallace’s mouth set the tone: “How are you feeling?” a reporter asked. Bubba smirked, slightly winded and sweat-drenched, “Guys? Looks like a workout. A lot softer than 2018…” The reference, though cryptic, hinted at his personal growth — both as a racer and a man. 2018 was a gritty, breakout year for Wallace, but he was a different driver now: leaner, tougher, more self-aware.
Though brief, that first reply said plenty: This race wasn’t just physically exhausting — it was emotionally draining. The heat. The chaos. The anticipation. And then, the brake failure.
“Reset. Go Again Next Week.”
When asked how tough it was to process the result, Wallace didn’t overthink it. “Reset. Go again next week.” It’s the mantra of every competitor in this sport. You don’t wallow. You don’t spiral. You take your licks, learn, and move forward.
Wallace, whose mental health journey has been well documented, has matured into someone who doesn’t let disappointment define him. The calm, almost resigned tone in his voice wasn’t defeatist — it was measured.
“Keep Bringing Fast Race Cars”
One of the more telling lines came when Bubba was asked what the team could take away from the Pocono weekend.
“Going forward, keep bringing fast race cars. I appreciate the effort.”
Simple, but powerful.
Wallace has often been the first to call out his crew when things go wrong. But here, he did the opposite. Despite the DNF, despite the frustration, he recognized the progress. It wasn’t lack of pace that beat them — it was an equipment failure. The effort was there. The speed was real.
“There were no results at Showcourt,” he added, referring perhaps to the top-tier results fans crave. “But after practice… it was going to be embarrassing for the rest of the field.” In other words: we had the car to beat — had the brakes not betrayed him.
“It Is What It Is”
Perhaps the most Bubba-esque quote of the day came next: “You’re just tight in traffic, nor focusing on stuff. So uh, it is what it is.”
Wallace wasn’t throwing shade. He wasn’t making excuses. He was being real. NASCAR races aren’t run in clean air. They’re chaotic, filled with variables, and that day, traffic and handling issues simply compounded the growing problems inside the No. 23.
That final phrase — It is what it is — may sound like a shrug. But for a driver who’s worn his emotions on his sleeve for years, it was instead a sign of maturity. Bubba Wallace has learned that not every failure demands fury. Sometimes, it just… is.
“See What My Pedal or My Foot Told My Ass… I Told My Brain.”
And then came the most human, most Bubba Wallace moment of the interview.
When asked to confirm the cause of the incident, he said dryly: “Confirm, it’s the brakes.”
But then, in true Wallace fashion, he added, with dark humor:
“See what my pedal or my foot told my ass… I told my brain.”
It’s a jumbled, visceral quote — confusing at first, but entirely raw and honest. When you’re driving at 180 mph and something fails, it’s not an intellectual process. It’s instinct. It’s body over brain. And in this case, the sudden drop in resistance told Wallace all he needed to know.
He didn’t need engineers or data. He felt it in his gut. And in his gut, he knew: it was over.
Bubba’s Bigger Picture
This wasn’t a traditional press conference. It was scattered, stream-of-consciousness, a little jaded and entirely authentic. That’s what makes Bubba Wallace different from so many in the NASCAR garage. He doesn’t rehearse. He doesn’t spin. He just… speaks.
And for fans, that means hearing the real story. Not always polished. Not always clean. But real.
The Road Ahead
Wallace didn’t promise revenge. He didn’t lash out. He looked ahead — to next week, to the next fast car, to the next shot at redemption.
It’s been a tough season for the No. 23 team, but interviews like this show that Wallace isn’t crumbling. He’s hardening. He’s learning to carry disappointment without letting it weigh him down.
NASCAR isn’t just about speed. It’s about resilience. And in Pocono, Bubba Wallace showed he’s got plenty of both.
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