Bubba Wallace Sees Growth In Second Year With 23XI Racing

Bubba Wallace knows he can get the job done at Nascar’s premier level. With one win in the record books, he’s eager to take home more trophies with a growing 23XI Racing.

23XI Racing, the team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and NBA great Michael Jordan, is in the middle of its second season and first as a two-car team. Veteran racer and 2004 Cup Series champion Kurt Busch is Wallace’s teammate, already scoring a win earlier this year at Kansas Speedway.

But Wallace, 28, is an emerging star and arguably the sport’s most well-known personality over the last two years. The pressure is on, and he knows it.

“There’s no greater feeling than winning,” Wallace said. “We know and recognize how different our season could have gone under certain circumstances. The one thing you can’t knock is the speed we’ve had in our cars during some of those bad races. If we keep up this speed, everything will come together.”

Wallace is indeed correct. The No. 23 team is often one of the fastest on race day. However, mistakes by the driver and pit crew have plagued them in 2022. As of late, they’re finally clicking on all cylinders, finishing third last weekend at New Hampshire.

For the first time ever,Wallace is able to think longterm with the Toyota-backed organization. Currently on a multi-year deal, he expects the stability with 23XI Racing to only grow from here.

“Super comfortable,” Wallace said of his situation at 23XI. “I told them from the get go I want to make this place home for a really long time. I can see myself retiring here. I have to do a better job on and off the racetrack to elevate this team to greater heights. We have the right people in place to do that.

“On top of that, we have really great personnel. We have great men and women working their tails off to make it a fast and fun environment. We just have to put it all together.”

Wallace said he’s been learning from Busch, who missed Sunday’s race due to concussion-like symptoms. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Xfinity Series driver Ty Gibbs replaced Busch in the No. 45 car at Pocono Raceway.

But throughout the last few months, Busch has spent time teachcing Wallace things he may not have known before.

“I think understanding the league that you’re in,” Wallace said. “Even when today’s not your day, but making the most of it. Seeing how he can turn something that’s blah to something that’s pretty decent. We’re all different and process things differently. Whatever he’s been able to do on his off days and make the most if it is something I appreciate.”

As Wallace aims to win one of the final five races before the playoffs begin, he is still on the outside looking in for the postseason. He understands there is a lot that needs to be done, but he knows team No. 23 is capable of winning.

“We’ve had mistakes – either on my end or the team’s end,” Wallace said. “It’s not taking ourselves out of races and producing the best results. We have some stuff to clean up on our end. New Hampshire was a perfect weekend, and that needs to happen each weekend to get ourselves in the playoffs.”