Michael Jordan's dream NASCAR race turned into a nightmare on Talladega's wild final lap
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Cork Gaines
Apr 25, 2022, 22:40 IST
Bubba Wallace wrecks on the final lap at Talladega.Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Both Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing drivers had a shot to win at Talladega.
Both Bubba Wallace and Kurt Busch led the race at times, but both were wrecked on the final lap.
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To win at Talladega Superspeedway requires making it to the end, something Michael Jordan and his 23XI Racing team were painfully reminded of during the wild final lap of Sunday's race.
Both of Jordan's drivers, Bubba Wallace (23) and Kurt Busch (45), led laps in the final stage, and both drivers appeared to have a shot at the win on the last lap.
However, when defending champion Kyle Larson (5) moved up the track on the final turn, he took out Busch, who then took out his teammate, Wallace, as Ross Chastain hung on for the win.
Here is the view of the final moments from both of Jordan's cars as they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Wallace took the biggest hit in the wreck. After being clipped by Busch, he slammed into the wall nose-first at more than 180 mph. He was shaken up after exiting his car.
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To make matters worse for Jordan, his co-owner at 23XI Racing, Denny Hamlin, also led laps late in the race but ran out of gas with three laps to go.
Bubba Wallace's superspeedway strategy goes out the window on final lap
Wallace has dominated during recent superspeedway races, finishing first or second in the three previous races, including his first career win at Talladega last fall.
Wallace's strategy mirrors other veteran drivers, including his boss, Hamlin. To be successful at Daytona and Talladega requires often going against your instincts and exhibiting patience.
Wallace showed this early in Sunday's race when he and Hamlin both intentionally left the lead pack and fell behind because they felt the driving had gotten too aggressive up front, and a wreck seemed imminent.
Wallace, who fell to 30th, rebounded to win the first stage.
But patience goes out the window on the final lap, and chaos is always expected. This time, Jordan's 23XI Racing were the unlucky losers.
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