The Toyota team has been steadily progressing this year. Their strategy is on point, running close behind Chevrolet for the most wins. No. 45 driver Tyler Reddick added the 4th win to the manufacturer’s 2024 chart. However, other Toyotas struggled even with a well-thought-out strategy before he swerved into Talladega’s victory lane.
Ford led for most of the GEICO 500 race until the Toyotas swung into action. A long line of seven of their cars were unanimously following a plan. But then a race track mishap threw a wrench into their plans, kicking three drivers out. Bubba Wallace was one of them, and he did not hold back his emotions over the radio.
Bubba Wallace hurls an expletive at his LMC rival
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Days after the Talladega race ended, the radio talk is finally out for us to hear. We got a sneak peek into how things turned from amazing to dismal for the Toyotas. And Bubba Wallace’s plummeting mood in the process.
Around lap 152 of the event, things started to grow intense. Toyota’s pit crew members could be heard giving hints toward a pre-meditated plan. Michael McDowell’s No. 34 crew chief summed it up: “Go hard here. We’re gonna force the whole field to pit. We’re gonna maintain control of this race.”
NASCAR journalist Jordan Bianchi explained that the Toyotas were banking on fuel-saving tactics to gain better track positions. Kyle Busch’s crew chief Randall Burnett suspected the same mid-race. “The Toyotas just pitted. They topped off so that they can run hard this whole time.”
Then the entire 7-car Toyota line pitted. Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 crew chief Freddie Kraft said over the radio: “Just keep doing what you’re doing here, we are quicker than the pack.”
But just when optimistic thoughts were running high, things turned dark within seconds. Erik Jones’ No. 43 turned loose into turn 3, as the line came across a bump in the track over a tunnel underneath. Then Wallace tapped Jones’ rear, while the latter slammed head-first into the wall. They collected Denny Hamlin in the crash as well, and all three were out of the race.
Bubba Wallace fumed over the radio: “Got shoved into him. F*** the plans. I’m done.” His crew chief also did not hold back. “Oh my god. We’re all wrecked.”
Denny Hamlin could not believe that a good plan was ruined. “We were fast enough. It was going to work perfect.” Meanwhile, Erik Jones left with a severe back injury that fetched him an indefinite medical leave.
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This picture-perfect Toyota plan ended in shambles. Yet, a good strategy allowed a Toyota driver to snag the win.
Reddick’s calculations paid off
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As the lap 157 wreck sent ripples of frustration, it actually worked out great for some Toyota drivers. Tyler Reddick, Martin Truex Jr, and Ty Gibbs steered clear of the melee and could continue. Not only that, they soon started leading as the rest of the field pitted under the caution. This worked wonders for Tyler Reddick.
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Jordan Bianchi explained: “That’s where the Reddick thing came in. When everybody pitted because of the caution, he stayed on the racetrack, he shot up towards the front, and that’s what put him in the position to be there in the end.”
Hence, conversely, the wrecked Toyota plan was a stepping stone to their victory.
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