There were a lost of questions and uncertainty surrounding Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 team after the end of the 2024 season. He was seen as the senior driver within the organization, but with Tyler Reddick reaching the championship race last year, the pressure was on Bubba to deliver the goods in 2025. Winless throughout the last year and with a new crew chief at the helm, a lot could’ve gone wrong for the No. 23 team. But, they’ve turned a corner for good, and this was evident after the P3 finish at Homestead Miami last weekend.
We’ve seen Wallace being erratic and flustered when things didn’t go his way in the past. “Our Leidos Toyota Camry was way too loose. I tried to bite my tongue from the start of practice, and it was such a handful, and it definitely bit us in the race.” He said this after Austin Dillon’s win at Richmond last year. However, despite being in contention for the win in Homestead, he seemed content with himself and his team.
“All in all, hats off to my 23 group here. It’s been a grind all year long. We’ve been getting kicked in the teeth the last stage of every race. Finally, close one out. This feels good. I can’t hang my head over this. It’s a good day.” Well, something has changed within the #23 camp, and Wallace himself has taken a fresh approach on how he deals with results. Kevin Harvick was quick to note this difference and appreciated how he closed out the race despite the challenges.
Despite earning stage points and bringing quick race cars to the track, Wallace wasn’t able to crack a solid result to start his 2025 campaign. But that changed at Homestead as he led 56 laps and bagged six stage points, his best result in the Cup Series since the Bristol race last year. Wallace’s strengths have been short speed runs and that was on display at Vegas and Homestead.
“In Vegas, Homestead, both weeks, super fast on the short run, managed a great race at Homestead start to finish, but that’s the whole team,” said Harvick on his podcast, applauding Bubba Wallace on an overall good race weekend. “And I think when you look at Bubba, that’s kind of been a little bit of the problem in the past is he hasn’t been able to manage a whole day consistently all the time. And you have to be able to manage those days because they’re all gonna take twists and turns and all over the place.”
Alex Bowman passed him for the lead late in the race with 33 laps to go, and Larson followed suit. Both Hendrick cars were better than the No. 23 Camry, but it was a mistake on Wallace’s part that allowed both drivers to push through. It’s not that everything turned out perfect for the 23XI driver; he had his moments in the race when he had the run-in with Noah Gragson, and he brushed the outside wall. A younger Bubba would’ve lost his way, but not the current version.
DARLINGTON, SC – MAY 14: Bubba Wallace 23 23XI Racing Dr Pepper Toyota looks on prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Goodyear 400 on May 14, 2023, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 14 NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon230514528
“When I got in the fence, I was p—– off for a half-corner and then it was OK. There’s still a long way to go, I need to think about the winners that we have on this team. It motivates you to drive harder in a more methodical way, not just driving in the fence like I did.” The driver said after the race.
With a new crew chief in Charles Denike and momentum from the podium at Homestead, there’s just one question on everyone’s mind: Can Wallace carry on this to Martinsville, or was this a one-off performance from him?
Can Bubba Wallace rise to the Top?
After a strong performance at Homestead, Wallace leaves for Martinsville 7th in points standing after entering the race at 11th place in the standings. But can he perform at the same level at Martinsville, one of the sport’s most challenging short tracks, and challenge the authority of Tyler Reddick, who has cemented himself as the top driver in the 23XI Racing team? Well, his new crew chief, Charles Denike, certainly thinks so.
“They’re [Tyler Reddick] certainly the benchmark on wins right now at 23XI…I’m just proud that we’re in this conversation…Just super enjoyable to be able to work together and know that as we debrief this week, we were the benchmark today, fair and square. Super proud of everybody that contributes to that,” said Denike after the race, hinting at the shift in perspective surrounding Bubba Wallace and maybe a change in who might be the lead driver at 23XI.
Last time around, Bubba Wallace raced at Martinsville in spring he went home with a P4 finish. Another top 5 finish along with a stage win isn’t out of bounds for the No. 23 team. So keep an eye out for them this weekend; we might see the #23 Camry run up front again for another race weekend.
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