NASCAR star Bubba Wallace opens up on managing emotions during 'rollercoaster' Cup Series season

NASCAR Cup Series star Bubba Wallace has revealed that his family has helped him keep his emotions in check during what has been a rollercoaster season so far.

19 races into the regular season, Wallace sits 13th in the Cup Series standings, but has somewhat been in the shadow of his 23XI teammate, Tyler Reddick, who sits second.

Unlike Reddick, who has five victories, Wallace is yet to put his No. 23 Toyota in Victory Lane, but there have still been some real highlights. Fifth at Kansas, third at Michigan, and, most recently, second at Naval Base Coronado.

However, for all those great moments, there have also been some real low points, a lot of which came through no fault of his own. Wallace discussed those and more at Chicagoland this weekend ahead of his sixth-place finish.

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Bubba Wallace on 'rollercoaster' NASCAR season

“Every year it’s the same rollercoaster," Wallace told the media, assessing his year so far. "I think we’ve been that much better this year, so the highs have been higher than before and the lows have been different.

"Charles (Denike, crew chief) and Dave Rogers (23XI Competition Director) and myself sat down in a meeting [in the offseason] and highlighted the low-hanging fruit and what we needed to do and the biggest thing for us to just raise the floor.

"There was a lot of potential left at the end of our bad races last year, whether we would have a 15th-place car and finish 18th to 20th. At Nashville, Pocono, a couple to where we were top 15 at best, and the other races we’ve had winning potential and we haven’t been able to see it play through.

"We have a great first stage in just about every race the last two or three months. We marched forward from where we were, whether that’s qualifying or just metric from rainout. We would have the speed, but something would go wrong.

"It stings a little more this year just knowing how much potential is left out there and then to see how our teammates are winning. It’s like, damn, I think if we can have everything go right we can be in victory lane too. As opposed to last year where the floor was much lower.”

Bubba Wallace's key to handling emotions of NASCAR season

In light of his answer, Wallace was asked how he manages his emotions during such turbulent times, with the 23XI star offering a heartwarming response.

“You marry your best friend and have a good sounding board," Wallace said. "It’s tough. Have I had the happiest of days lately? No, I haven’t. But at the same time I have a great support system at home and I have two beautiful kids and that helps out a lot. It’s all part of it.

"I sit there every year and ask why we are in this scenario and as much as I don’t want to hear it, she gives her thoughts and her advice on how to handle it and we go to the racetrack next week.

"You surround yourself with good people and it helps out.”