Bubba Wallace remains one of the NASCAR Cup Series drivers still chasing his first victory of the 2025 season, but he is optimistic about the upcoming summer schedule. His focus begins with the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 1, where he believes he can capitalize on the momentum he has built so far this year.
After 12 races, Wallace has collected two top-five finishes and four top-10s, while leading a total of 103 laps. Currently tenth in the championship standings with 310 points, he trails his 23XI Racing teammate Tyler Reddick, who holds sixth place with 357 points. Wallace has pointed to his strong performances on mile-and-a-half tracks such as Kansas and Texas as proof that his form is improving.
Reflecting on these outings, the Alabama native shared in a recent interview,
“I was really happy with the car the first 30 laps of Kansas; we had our penalty and then were mired back in traffic and weren’t the same there. But I was really happy with how the weekend went. Texas – really happy with how the weekend went up until we crashed.“
“But we’re getting stage points now, we’re competitive, our name is in the hat. We just now have to close out the deal. I think through the summer stretch, yes, I’m excited for what’s next,” he added.
Looking ahead, Wallace is preparing for the 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Memorial Day weekend, May 25. This 400-lap event, one of the crown jewel races of NASCAR, will be available exclusively on Prime Video starting at 6 pm ET, with additional live radio coverage on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Christopher Bell, a fellow Toyota driver and last year’s Charlotte winner, recently secured a victory at the All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro, setting a strong example for his competitors.
Light-Hearted Exchange Between Wallace and Spotter Highlights Close Relationship
In the days leading up to the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, Wallace’s spotter Freddie Kraft posted on X (formerly Twitter) about the stress of reviewing past races at the Alabama track. Wallace responded playfully, showcasing their strong bond.
Kraft wrote,
“Rewatching races at Talladega is bad for the blood pressure. Especially when you can see the mistakes you made coming all over again.”
Wallace replied with humor and support:
“You make mistakes?? Never thought we’d hear that..Remember 1st step is admitting. Proud of you buddy. Takes a lot of courage and apparently 15 years..We listen and don’t judge.”
The friendship between Wallace and Kraft dates back to 2010, when Wallace competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Their strong rapport has helped Wallace secure two Cup Series wins—the only victories of his career—at Talladega in 2021 and Kansas in 2022.
Summer Stretch Represents a Critical Opportunity for Wallace’s Breakthrough
The upcoming summer segment of the NASCAR season offers Wallace a significant chance to end his victory drought and make a major impact in the championship race. His consistent improvements on intermediate tracks and ability to compete for stage points show promise, but he acknowledges the challenge of closing out races. With renewed confidence and a competitive car, Wallace aims to leverage his experience and teamwork with Kraft to finally secure a win.
This period is crucial not only for Wallace’s personal goals but also for his position within 23XI Racing, as they look to challenge top contenders like Tyler Reddick and Toyota drivers such as Christopher Bell. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Wallace can convert his steady performances into his long-awaited first victory of the 2025 season.
