Bubba Wallace has been quietly consistent this 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. His scorching performance at the front of the pack at Homestead to finish 3rd silenced doubters who once clamored for his replacement. As the series rolled into Kansas Speedway for its 12th race, the 23XI Racing star’s redemption arc is the heartbeat of the paddock. Fans and analysts were captivated by his resurgence, however, it was also a moment of celebration for 23XI Racing for different reasons.
The Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin co-owned team fielded a fourth car for the first time to give 22-year-old Truck phenom Corey Heim a ride. After Wallace missed the playoffs in 2024, talk surrounded his lack of wins and disappointing performances as his teammate, Tyler Reddick, made the Championship 4. Rumors swirled that Heim could replace him in the #23 after the former’s dominant year in the Truck Series. However, Wallace’s commanding presence this year ensured no one—not even a rising star—can dim his shine. However, he pointed out the struggles 23XI faced in preparation for this milestone.
Bubba Wallace highlights 23XI’s journey
This season, the #23 driver has rewritten his story with raw determination. He’s racked up multiple top-10 finishes and has run among the top 15 more than any driver this season, a sharp turnaround from his “lackluster” 2024 races. His mental reset has been key: “And I think just about every time we show up now, I feel I have the confidence in myself and our team that we can do what we need to do to win races.” This has come after a crew chief change, going from Bootie Barker to Charles Denike. So, since Bootie was working with Heim this weekend, Wallace was asked ahead of the Kansas race how the team shop was doing while managing four cars for the first time.
Bubba Wallace’s pre-race words to Frontstretch at Kansas peel back the curtain on 23XI’s grind. “I wouldn’t say this week. It lasts a month or so. I mean, really, you give, I think this is what, race 12? So you give Bootie 12 races to work, you know, and that’s all he’s been doing is prepping for this race,” he said, referring to his former crew chief. He continued, “I’ve seen him at the airport this morning, and I was just questioning who was the crew that he had assembled for this car. And I know it’s hard to just run four cars full-time. But I think it’s even harder to do it part-time because the personnel, just the resources, aren’t fully there.”
Corey Heim ended up having a decent race at Kansas despite the logistical nightmares 23XI must have faced. He completed all laps and finished 13th, ahead of Bubba Wallace, who had to retire early after being involved in a wreck. However, this moment was more than Heim’s finish. It marked 23XI’s growth as an organization. Something that Bubba Wallace has played a huge role in.
.@BubbaWallace on @23XIRacing running four cars in the Cup Series for the first time. pic.twitter.com/WntN3zQVjf
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) May 11, 2025
23XI Racing’s rapid ascent has been a “game-changer” for Wallace. The fourth car’s demands are undeniable, but 23XI’s journey powers Wallace’s fire. Hamlin praised Wallace’s “massive impact” on 23XI’s rise, with his hunger to win after last year’s struggles. “I think that the timing seemed to kind of be when, you know, when he had a child there, things changed. But, you know, some of that comes with maturity and age as well,” said the 23XI owner about his star driver’s tough time.
Bubba Wallace and his wife, Amanda, had their first child, Becks Hayden Wallace, last year, and the driver’s life has flipped since then. He prioritizes family and happiness over brooding over bad results, and that has led to a significant improvement on the track. After being framed as a driver who was on the departure, his rise has been unprecedented, and seeing 23XI field four cars only emphasized the trust they have in him to grow this team around him.
Kansas was more than a race for Wallace—it was a statement. He’s not just battling rivals but the ghosts of doubt, proving he’s 23XI’s present and future. With Heim’s one-off stretching the team, Wallace’s strong runs ensure he’s not replaceable. Every turn, he buries the noise, carving his legacy into NASCAR’s heart as 23XI’s shining star.
Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney’s NASCAR rivalry ignites laughter
The NASCAR scene is electric right now, and it’s all because of the feud between best friends Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney. These two have the kind of bond that most would envy. The hilarious drama all boiled over during a SiriusXM interview when Wallace, the No. 23 Toyota driver for 23XI Racing, tossed some serious shade at Blaney.
He said, “Vegas was unfortunate. Blaney ran out of talent and wrecked us. So that sucked. But we were running top five there. We’re gonna be top five there.” Talk about throwing fuel on the fire! “And then I ran outta talent at Texas, and I felt like it was gonna be another top-five day,” added Wallace, mocking himself. This bond is unique. One where they don’t shy away from digs at each other, knowing it’s never personal.
The two are as thick as friends could be, and that’s what makes this ‘rivalry’ so special. It’s not about wrecking someone out of the win or taking personal jibes. It’s all about giving their best on the track, and whatever the outcome, their bond remains the same. So, as much as Blaney and Bubba both yearn for a win this season, best believe they would celebrate just as much if the other one got to victory lane.
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