Bubba Wallace, the celebrated 23XI Racing Cup Series driver, credits much of his personal and professional growth to a special connection with his wife, Amanda Carter. The couple’s relationship, which blossomed in Las Vegas, has become a cornerstone in both their lives. Their surprising Vegas connection not only sparked their enduring romance but has also influenced Bubba’s rising success in racing this 2025 season.
This year, Bubba Wallace has shown marked improvement, securing four top-ten finishes and two top-fives, while leading 103 laps. Although a late mishap at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway prevented an ideal finish, the track holds a sentimental place for the family. Amanda Carter recently shared on a podcast how the city of Las Vegas played a crucial role in their relationship.
How High School Ties and the Vegas Racetrack Shaped Their Story
Though their public relationship only became known in recent years, Bubba Wallace and Amanda Carter’s history stretches back to high school, where they first crossed paths. Amanda, a former financial analyst at Bank of America, was always academically focused, whereas Bubba—referred to by his given name, Darrell—was less studious. Amanda recalled on a podcast with Haley Dillon,
“Darrell and I went to high school together, not many people know that. I was a very studious student, and so he was always trying to be like, ‘Give me the answers,’ like whatever, whatever. And I’m like ‘No! I don’t want to get caught.’”
Despite their early acquaintance, romance did not immediately follow; Amanda even attended prom with another classmate. Their paths diverged but reconnected in 2015 during the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Bubba, then a part-time Xfinity driver, invited Amanda to the race, which she initially declined but later agreed to attend. She explained,
“He had invited me out to Vegas for a race. It was his last season of Xfinity, and he was a part-time Xfinity driver. And I said no initially, and then I eventually said yes. And we started dating while we were in Vegas. So yeah, we’ve known each other for a very long time. Since 2009. So Vegas is really special to us. We love Vegas.”
A Tense Incident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2025
Las Vegas Motor Speedway has witnessed many memorable moments for Bubba Wallace, including a challenging collision earlier this season. On March 16, 2025, during the NASCAR Cup Series race, a multi-car crash unfolded at Lap 196 involving Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota, Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Ford, and Noah Gragson. The incident occurred amid a final-stage restart as the drivers raced four wide coming out of Turn 2, a situation demanding intense competition.
Bubba’s car and Blaney’s vehicle made contact, sending both drivers into the wall. Wallace expressed his frustration over the radio, exclaiming, “Blaney came up on me!” followed by,
“I don’t know how much f—— higher I can go… f—— idiots!”
Ryan Blaney accepted responsibility afterward, stating,
“I watched one little replay, and I had two outside, one inside, so I have to go back and see if I heard it wrong or if there was some miscommunication. I feel like I probably pitched those guys to the fence along the two, so it was probably my fault.”
Though tensions flared temporarily, the incident has since become part of the challenging but motivating experiences at Las Vegas for Bubba.
The Role of Family and Fatherhood in Bubba Wallace’s Racing Performance
Bubba Wallace’s performance on the track has visibly improved since becoming a father. Last year, his son Beckett was born, an event that Wallace credits with shifting his priorities and mood. Once known for his intense competitiveness and occasional clashes, such as a confrontation with Alex Bowman at the Chicago Street Race that resulted in a penalty, Bubba has shown newfound balance and resilience.
During the Shriners Children 500 at Phoenix Raceway, Wallace even made light of a difficult situation by joking about having a “tire down” after a crash, reassuring his spotter, Freddie Kraft. Following that, he achieved consecutive podium finishes at Homestead and Martinsville—career highlights reflecting his positive turnaround.
Wallace explained how fatherhood has reshaped his life:
“Nothing else matters anymore, besides being a great father, being a great husband, being a great family man. Prior to that, it was always racing first, and I’ve missed out on a lot of good memories and opportunities by putting that first and causing a lot of stress from within or the people surrounding me … It took having a kid to realize there’s so much more to life.”
This profound change has been a source of stability and inspiration for Bubba both on and off the track.
Las Vegas as a Symbol of Love and Growth for the Wallace Family
For Bubba Wallace and Amanda Carter, Las Vegas Motor Speedway represents more than just a racetrack—it is the place where their long-standing friendship transformed into a lasting romance and partnership. The city where they rekindled their connection in 2015 holds special meaning, inextricably linked to their journey as a couple and as a family.
Their unique bond, sparked through years of shared experiences both in school and on the racing circuit, has played an integral role in Bubba’s evolving career. As their son Beckett brings new purpose, the support from Amanda and their family continues to fuel Bubba Wallace’s drive to excel.
