NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace is off to the best start of his eight-year career, placing fifth in the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway and last Sunday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
The 23XI Racing driver escaped major damage during the 16-car mele in the opening moments of the Ambetter Health 400 and cliched a top-five with a taped-up machine.
He gave an assist on social media to his spotter, Freddie Kraft.
“May sound like a joke but my brain is mush,” Wallace posted. “The psychological piece to plate racing is massive. Yes, it’s big (during) any other race, but receiving and digesting the info from (Kraft) lap by lap, corner by corner to make sure you’re in the right spot is intense.
“The racing was very intense; it’s the mental side. Are we gonna crash? Am I making the right move? Every corner. Every straightaway. Every lap. It’s a lot. I am mentally drained just from that. You try to be so cool, calm, and collective the whole time and (it’s) hard to do in these situations.”
Attempting to stay mentally tough, Wallace, who placed 10th in the final driver rankings last season, seeks his first win since September 2022 at Kansas Speedway.
Below, we’ll preview the top storylines heading into Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube, go over the odds, and give our best bets for the No. 3 race on the 2024 NASCAR schedule.
.@Daniel_SuarezG walks us through that incredible final lap at @ATLMotorSpdwy. pic.twitter.com/loqNGhs03D
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 26, 2024
2024 Pennzoil 400 Presented By Jiffy Lube Storylines
- Ambetter Health 400 winner Daniel Suarez snapped a 57-race winless streak by 0.003 seconds, the third-closest finish in Cup racing since the series implemented electronic scoring in 1993. Suarez missed the playoffs last season.
- Josh Williams knows drama. The driver of the No. 16 Chevrolet, Williams was involved in the 16-car mele early at Atlanta, triggered by Todd Gilliand. Williams lashed out at the quality of driving around him. “I thought I left the ARCA Series a long time ago, but apparently not. This is supposed to be Cup racing,” Williams said, as reported by Frontstretch.com.
- Williams’ discontent will linger. Assuming command of the No. 16 machine will be Derek Kraus, making his series debut. The 22-year-old Truck Series veteran is slated to compete in six Cup events for Kaulig Racing this season.
We’re excited to have @derek9kraus behind the wheel of our No. 16 Chevrolet for six @NASCAR Cup races, the first coming at @LVMotorSpeedway next weekend! 🎲#Pennzoil400 | #TrophyHunting pic.twitter.com/c5GXTjG638
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) February 22, 2024
Pennzoil 400 Presented By Jiffy Lube Driver Odds
Here is an early look at the drivers’ odds for the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
| Driver | NASCAR Cup Series’ Pennzoil 400 presented by Juffy Lube Odds | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Larson | +400 |  |
| William Byron | +800 | |
| Ryan Blaney | +900 | |
| Denny Hamlin | +1000 | |
| Christopher Bell | +1000 | |
| Martin Truex Jr. | +1200 | |
| Tyler Reddick | +1200 | |
| Ross Chastain | +1200 | |
| Chase Elliott | +1400 | |
| Joey Logano | +1400 | |
| Brad Keselowski | +1600 | |
| Bubba Wallace | +1800 | |
| Chris Buescher | +2200 | |
| Alex Bowman | +2200 | |
| Ty Gibbs | +2800 | |
| Erik Jones | +4000 | |
| Daniel Suarez | +6600 | |
| John Hunter Nemechek | +10000 | |
| Austin Dillon | +10000 | |
| Austin Cindric | +10000 | |
| Carson Hocevar | +10000 | |
| Josh Berry | +15000 | |
| Chase Briscoe | +15000 | |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | +15000 | |
| Corey LaJoie | +15000 | |
| Noah Gragson | +15000 | |
| Ryan Preece | +20000 | |
| Daniel Hemric | +20000 | |
| Zane Smith | +20000 | |
| Todd Gilliand | +20000 | |
| Harrison Burton | +20000 | |
| Derek Kraus | +20000 | |
| Justin Haley | +30000 | |
| Kaz Grala | +50000 | |
| JJ Yeley | +100000 | |
*Odds current at time of publication
Pennzoil 400 Presented By Jiffy Lube Predictions and Picks
Here are our best NASCAR bets for the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:
Kyle Larson (+400)
The winner at Las Vegas last October and runner-up last February, Larson was listed as Sunday’s early betting favorite. Plus, he drives a Chevrolet, the first manufacturer to sweep this season’s first two national series tripleheaders in NASCAR history.
Joey Logano (+1400)
The 2022 Cup champion had a weekend to forget at Atlanta. Despite qualifying P2, Logano endured a penalty for a glove infraction, suffered an on-track accident and placed P28. He should already feel pressure to make up for lost early points.
Brad Keselowski (+1600)
Talk about feeling pressure. The 2012 Cup champ has not visited Victory Lane in 100 events. Through two races this, Keselowski ranks 36th with 16 points, the fewest of any driver who competed at Daytona and Atlanta. The veteran cannot afford to fall further behind.
A total of 8 cautions, so far, today at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Brad Keselowski goes around to start this one: https://t.co/0YvLsdBahM pic.twitter.com/Uk3vgpigV3
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 25, 2024
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