23XI Racing recently took to social media to tease their drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick by sharing a viral meme involving Wallace at a Coldplay concert. This playful stunt occurred just before the team’s upcoming race at Dover Motor Speedway, drawing attention to the ongoing season and the team’s legal challenges. The “Bubba Wallace Coldplay Meme” quickly caught the eye of race fans and followers of NASCAR Cup Series action.
How 23XI Racing Recreated the Viral Coldplay Meme
The origin of the meme dates back to a moment at a Coldplay concert where Andy Byron, CEO of Astronomer, was caught on the kiss cam hugging the company’s HR head, Kristin Cabot. Both appeared embarrassed and attempted to avoid the camera’s attention, prompting Chris Martin, Coldplay’s lead vocalist, to remark,
“Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy”
. Playing off this scene, 23XI Racing posted a photo showing Bubba Wallace embracing Tyler Reddick from behind, mimicking that awkward yet humorous moment. The post was captioned simply, “Goes to one Coldplay concert.”
Profiles of 23XI Racing’s Drivers in the Current Season
Bubba Wallace is in his fifth season driving the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE, representing the three-car NASCAR Cup Series team owned by driver Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan. Tyler Reddick competes in the No. 45 car, currently in his third year with the Huntersville, North Carolina-based team. Alongside them, rookie Riley Herbst, who joined 23XI Racing this year, is also competing in the NASCAR series.
Over the course of the 2025 season, Wallace and Reddick have completed 20 races. At Sonoma Raceway last week, Reddick secured a sixth-place finish, marking his eleventh top-10 placement of the year. Wallace, however, ended the race in 26th, while Herbst finished 25th.
Ongoing Legal Dispute Between 23XI Racing and NASCAR
Off the track, 23XI Racing remains embroiled in a legal conflict with NASCAR regarding the new charter agreement for the 2025 season. The team has refused to sign the agreement, accusing NASCAR of monopolistic practices in the market for racing charters, which are essential for guaranteed entry into races. As a result, 23XI Racing filed a lawsuit challenging NASCAR’s actions.
Recently, a U.S. Federal Court ruled that all three of 23XI Racing’s cars would compete as open teams rather than chartered teams at upcoming events at Dover Motor Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The court denied 23XI’s requests for a preliminary injunction and a restraining order, which the team hoped would allow them to race as chartered teams for the season’s remainder.
NASCAR’s Position and Court’s Response to the Charter Dispute
If the court had granted a temporary restraining order to 23XI Racing, NASCAR would have been prevented from selling 23XI’s charters, and the team would have kept their charter status for the season. However, NASCAR maintained that 23XI Racing never formally owned the charters because they had not signed the new agreement, meaning those charters could not be reclaimed by the team.
In the court documents, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell affirmed,
“NASCAR has agreed that it ‘will not sell any charters before the court can rule on plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction. Similarly, plaintiffs worry that denying them guaranteed entry into the field for upcoming races could adversely impact their competitive standing, including their ability to earn a spot in the playoffs.”
He also stated,
“NASCAR represents to the court that all of plaintiffs’ cars will qualify (if they choose to race) for the races in Dover and Indianapolis that will take place during the next 14 days.”
What’s Next for 23XI Racing at Dover and Beyond
All attention now shifts to Dover Motor Speedway, where the NASCAR Cup Series will hold the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, July 20. This 400-lap race will be broadcast live on TNT Sports starting at 2 pm Eastern Time, with simultaneous radio coverage available on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The outcomes of these races carry significant weight for 23XI Racing as they continue to compete without their charter protections amid the ongoing legal battle. How the team performs on the track while navigating this tense atmosphere will be closely watched by fans, competitors, and legal observers alike.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Bubba Wallace ever win a cup race?
A. Bubba Wallace’s day ended early because of mechanical problems in Stage 2. His chances of getting back into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, which he hasn’t made since 2023, were damaged when he crashed during Stage 2 of Sunday’s race at Pocono Raceway.
Q. Has Bubba Wallace ever won a NASCAR Cup race?
A. On October 4, 2021, Wallace won his first Cup race at Talladega because bad weather cut the race short. Wallace became the first African-American driver to win a Cup Series race since Wendell Scott did so in 1963.
Q. Has Bubba Wallace ever won a NASCAR race?
A. Wallace has won six races in the Craftsman Truck Series. He was the first African American to win a NASCAR race since Hall of Famer Wendell Scott. Wallace achieved this milestone at Martinsville in 2013.
Q. Has Bubba Wallace won a NASCAR race?
A. On October 4, 2021, Wallace achieved his first Cup victory at Talladega when the race ended early because of rain. He is the first Black driver to win a Cup Series race since Wendell Scott did in 1963.
