Ahead of NASCAR’s Cup Series Playoffs, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace has name-dropped the trio of Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and William Byron as the drivers to beat.

The 2025 Cup Series Playoffs get underway on Sunday at Darlington Raceway with the Cook Out Southern 500, the first of the 10-race Playoff series. Last month, Wallace booked his place in the Playoffs by claiming victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when he won the Brickyard 400.

However, the 23XI Racing star is under no illusions that the Playoffs are a different beast altogether. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s action at NASCAR’s Playoff Media Day, Wallace reiterated he believes 23XI can win in the Playoffs, while also name-dropping the people he knows he will need to beat to achieve the success he wants.

“Absolutely,” replied Wallace when asked if he believes 23XI can win in the Playoffs.

“Hell, I’m good at winning in the Playoffs when I’m not in the Playoffs. Like I said, I look at the schedule and there’s a lot of good tracks for us coming up.”

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He continued: “We’ve had speed at almost every track on the circuit for the next 10 weeks, so it just takes that little bit more. It takes beating out the 5 (Kyle Larson), the 24 (William Byron), the 11 (Denny Hamlin).

“It takes beating the other 15 guys you’re racing against to do that. And, yes, we’ve had the speed to do that. We’ve got to clean up the execution standpoint and go capitalize on that.”

Wallace was also asked about how he intends to “break out of the pack” in what will be a crowded field. “Beat them,” replied Wallace. “Be the top guy.

“I think if you can manage your race and solely focus on what you have going on for a weekend. Not get lost when the 12 car is blistering fast on the long run pace.”

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“We already know that. We’ve been working hard to minimize that gap. Focus on your race. Focus on getting the upmost speed out of your car, pushing the potential each and every lap.

“The more you focus on yourself, I think the better your chances are. You get to manage your expectations, you get to manage your emotions and just enjoy the moment.”