Toyota's drivers aren't sweating the favorite tag, even though the manufacturer has dominated the NASCAR Cup Series this season. Bubba Wallace laid it out bluntly: "I think it's Toyota's championship to lose. Based on how many races we've won, it would be a shame if we didn't seal the deal."
The math backs him up. Toyota has racked up wins at a clip that makes them the obvious title contenders heading down the stretch. Their stable of drivers has performed well enough that the pressure should feel real. Yet the team's mindset remains measured. They're not acting like they've already won. Instead, they're treating it like what it is: a strong position that demands execution, not celebration.
That's the right approach. Regular season dominance doesn't guarantee playoff success in NASCAR, where single-race eliminations can derail even the fastest teams. Wallace and his Toyota teammates know the margin for error shrinks fast once the postseason starts. Winning races is one thing. Winning when everything's on the line is another. Toyota's got the speed. Now they need to avoid the costly mistakes that knock favorites out of contention.