Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing, spoke to the media on Wednesday during NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Media Day. With the playoffs approaching, Wallace expressed strong confidence in his team’s preparedness and potential to make a significant impact, highlighting the momentum built throughout the season.
Early Racing Memories and Influences
Reflecting on his early career moments, Wallace recalled a notable experience during the Daytona July race when he competed alongside legendary driver Jimmie Johnson. He described the excitement of racing with Johnson and other prominent drivers like Ryan Blaney and Corey LaJoie, emphasizing the influence Johnson has had as both a mentor and friend.
“Yeah, I remember filling in and running the Daytona July race and it was cool racing Jimmie (Johnson). I remember it was like Jimmie (Johnson), (Ryan) Blaney, me and (Corey) LaJoie kind of all right there together at one point and I was like, ‘Damn, that’s pretty cool racing against seven-time.’ I think I even said that over the radio. And so, to be able to race against him a handful of years was cool. He’s been a great mentor and a friend for me. Just a guy to just have a natural conversation with. He’s a lot of fun to be around. He’s an all-around good dude. I think we all know that in this room. Yeah, I’d say that would be the one.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
The Next Generation Looks Up to Wallace
When asked about young drivers who might look up to him, Wallace responded with a blend of humor and hope, recognizing the cyclical nature of racing careers. He revealed ambitions to continue competing for many years and to someday serve as a mentor, just as Johnson had for him.
“Makes me feel old (laughter). I hope to have that experience. I hope to continue to race for a long time and get to experience that. I think it would be pretty cool.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Impact of Wallace’s Cohort on NASCAR’s Evolution
Wallace reflected on the influence of the group of drivers who entered NASCAR around the same time, noting that they represent a natural transition in the sport similar to the shift seen 15 to 20 years ago. He mentioned veterans like Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano as older figures now, while current young drivers have taken over the spotlight.
“I imagine it could be the same as the previous generation, but I often sit there, whether it’s in the driver’s meeting or walking around to the pre-race grid or standing on the stage – what it was like 15 years ago. Because you look and it’s just Kyle (Busch) and Denny (Hamlin) from really that era. You can throw Brad (Keselowski) in I guess too – and (Joey) Logano was a little bit later. But, yeah, I think it’s kind of bizarre that it’s a bunch of young kids and now it’s like, it’s our time. So, it’s kind of cool that it’s just kind of gone through that transition, but I often think about what it was like 15 or 20 years ago.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Goals and Expectations for the Upcoming Playoff Races
Wallace acknowledged the importance of the recent IndyCar win as a major step for 23XI Racing but made clear that their ultimate goal remains the championship trophy. He described his excitement for each race over the 10-week playoff schedule, stressing confidence that the team belongs among the top contenders and is ready to push hard.
“We’re not settled on the Indy win. It was a great opportunity that we capitalized on to set ourselves up for the ultimate goal, which is what we had in store at the beginning of the year which was to be a champion. And so immediately after Indy, I skipped the next four or five – whatever it was – and looked at the Playoffs. Honestly, got really excited about each and every race that’s coming up. I don’t look at any round as, ‘Oh man, this might be a struggle for us.’ Then, I also look at the Playoff field the last couple weeks and man, no one is really running away from it if I want to echo Denny (Hamlin). Yeah, you can’t run away from it if you reset the points every time. But, man, no one’s had like a breakout. You have a guy who can get on a hot streak for a couple races and then it’s somebody else. I think we’re all in for a treat – drivers and spectators – for just how this Playoffs is going to go. I don’t feel like 2023 Playoff Bubba. Where like, ‘Oh man, it’s cool to be talking to you guys for Playoff media day.’ I feel like I belong here and want to continue this trend and have the upmost confidence in our team and our ability and potential to carry this into making a deep run into the Playoffs. It all started back in February, but everything just ramps up another notch for the next 10 weeks.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Strategies to Stand Out Among Peers
Wallace emphasized a focus on personal performance and race management as key elements to break out from the competition. Rather than getting distracted by the speed or success of other drivers, he advocates concentrating on maximizing his car’s speed and enjoying the race experience.
“Beat them. Be the top guy. I think if you can manage your race and solely focus on what you have going on for a weekend. Not get lost when the 12 car is blistering fast on the long run pace. We already know that. We’ve been working hard to minimize that gap. Focus on your race. Focus on getting the upmost speed out of your car, pushing the potential each and every lap. The more you focus on yourself, I think the better your chances are. You get to manage your expectations, you get to manage your emotions and just enjoy the moment.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Confidence in 23XI Racing’s Playoff Victory Prospects
When questioned about the team’s chances of winning during the playoffs, Wallace expressed unwavering confidence. He remarked on his prior successes in playoffs and highlighted the speed his team has displayed on various tracks, though he acknowledged the need for flawless execution to seize opportunities against top drivers like Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Denny Hamlin.
“Absolutely. Hell, I’m good at winning in the Playoffs when I’m not in the Playoffs. Like I said, I look at the schedule and there’s a lot of good tracks for us coming up. We’ve had speed at almost every track on the circuit for the next 10 weeks, so it just takes that little bit more. It takes beating out the 5 (Kyle Larson), the 24 (William Byron), the 11 (Denny Hamlin). It takes beating the other 15 guys you’re racing against to do that. And, yes, we’ve had the speed to do that. We’ve got to clean up the execution standpoint and go capitalize on that.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Preparedness Compared to Previous Season
Wallace contrasted this year’s playoff prep with 2023, describing the difference in mindset after coming off a lengthy, stress-filled period last season. This year, he appreciated a month of low pressure that allowed a refreshed focus, which benefited his race performance, as seen recently at Richmond, where despite a tough practice session he led the race.
“Hell, I came off a 26-week stretch of stress and we made it in. We were the last car in, right. You get Sunday to enjoy it, but then you’re back into, ‘Alright, here’s the Playoffs.’ Now, I just came off a month-long stress-free stretch. So, I think getting to experience that was really, really nice. I said for a month, I didn’t care. I didn’t care if we won, if we wrecked, whatever. But I didn’t care in a good way. I care so much about racing that I can often get lost on where you’re at and that causes problems. It causes frustration, it causes speed loss, it causes everything. And I think showing up – Richmond is a good example. We show up for practice, and we were awful. And I was like, ‘Well, Saturday’s going to be a long day.’ Okay, then we’re leading. Okay, you know. I didn’t write off Richmond, but I kind of just changed the approach like, ‘Be ready to work hard here for 10th place.’ And you just kind of take a step back and you can analyze things better, you slow things down, the processes of everything and next thing you know you’re up there leading and have a dominant car. So, I really look at Richmond as a big, big highlight for me and the mentality side of it. Yeah, we have to have just 10 weeks of that – with all four tires.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Maintaining Consistency and Minimizing Errors
On the topic of reducing mistakes during the first playoff round, Wallace praised his pit crew’s consistent performance throughout the season and advocated sticking to the strategies that have proven effective. He emphasized that each team member must fully commit to their responsibilities for optimal execution.
“I mean, if you can just do what you’ve been doing. We’ve talked about our pit crew. They’ve been second best, if not the best on pit road all year long and so it’s not like we need them to find this extra thing for the next 10 weeks. No, just go back to what you were doing. Do what you were doing. So, I’m excited to see everybody just execute to the level that they’re supposed to. And it’s individually. It takes a whole team to get to where we’re at. And to see everybody wake up on Sunday mornings, look themselves in the mirror and say, ‘I’ve gotta do my job and rise to the occasion. Not leave any stones unturned.’ I’m excited for that and I have the upmost faith and confidence in every person on the 23 car that they will do that. And if things don’t go the way they’re supposed to then it’s okay. Things are going to happen the way they’re supposed to. That’s what I’m saying.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Fuel Management as a Critical Skill
Wallace acknowledged that while all drivers try to save fuel, some excel more than others, crediting his team’s strong engineering and data analysis for their success in fuel-saving tactics. He described his personal role as trusting the information relayed to him during the race.
“Yeah, everybody can save fuel but there’s drivers who can save fuel better than the others. I think we’re one of the top at saving fuel, but there hasn’t been much study into that. It’s just looking at our camp and what we’re able to do. You have to have the right people behind the scenes giving you the right information to help you do that and so I think we have a good engineering background of analyzing all of the data and what we need to do to capitalize on fuel saving efforts when those chances come about.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
“No, there’s nothing to it. They just tell me to list and I lift, and they tell me to go and I go. I‘m just following what they’re doing, and I think it’s more so them understanding the data and trusting in it. And then saying, ‘Hey, go prove that the data is right.’ And it is. So, it’s more a of a testament to my engineers.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
“Where? (laughter) I’ve got a hybrid Toyota Tundra that shuts off at the stop lights so that practices it for me. But, no, no practicing. It’s just a lot of studying and a lot of data.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Personal Strengths and Areas for Growth
Wallace identified his mental toughness as his greatest asset, a trait that has developed over time. Conversely, he admitted that managing intense high-pressure moments remains a challenge he continually works to improve.
“Biggest strength – I think mentality is my biggest strength. You guys probably wouldn’t give me that trait a couple of years ago. I feel good where I’m at. I feel confident where I’m at. My weakness – I think is the heat of the moment scenarios. I guess it goes with mentality too – how do you react to that. We will go with that.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Team Growth and Development at 23XI Racing
Wallace praised the continuous improvements the 23XI Racing organization has made, highlighting the dedication and perseverance of everyone involved, including Airspeed’s ongoing offseason work. He attributed much of the team’s success to a strong hiring process that consistently adds talented individuals to key positions.
“Yeah, it has been a lot of moving parts and a lot of stress for a lot of people I’m sure, but everyone really seems to be rolling their sleeves up and appreciating the work that is in front of them and capitalizing on it. We’ve gotten better and better, I feel like, each and every weekend. Sometimes you get a little lost and bounce back, but the bounce backs, the perseverance that we have has been really, really strong. So from top down, we’ve executed from a lot of different levels, so I appreciate everyone at 23XI, Airspeed – their work continues each and every day, even in the offseason – continuing to work to find speed and to find that advantage that we are looking for, and I think we have a lot of key people in a lot of key spots – that speaks volumes to the hiring process and what it takes to get those people. It is an ever-evolving assembly line, that continues to get bigger and grow.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
The Positive Influence of New Crew Chief Charles Denike
Wallace credited his new crew chief Charles Denike for fostering effective teamwork and a supportive relationship, calling Denike’s transition to Cup level impressive. Wallace emphasized that maintaining fun at the track remains a priority, which Denike has embraced, helping Wallace drive smarter and aim for more victories.
“Yeah, I’ll give Charles (Denike, crew chief) a lot of credit. He has really been a lot of fun to work with, and I feel like we vibed and meshed really quick. He has my back on a lot of scenarios, and I appreciate that. Bootie (Barker, former crew chief) did as well, so none of that is going against Bootie. We’ve continued to have fun at the race track. That is the main thing I told him when we had our meeting in the offseason. I only have one goal in mind – is to have fun. Let everything else sit in its own place. I think he has adapted to that. From Truck to Cup is an incredible step, but I try not to put too much on his plate. If the time needs it, then sure I will, but he has just adapted really well, and I think that has helped me drive smarter and have better races and ultimately get back to victory lane. He is incredible at what he does. There is still a lot of room for us to grow, but I’m excited for the future.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Wallace also noted the need for more team-building activities but praised Denike’s natural ability to unite the team, following the example set by former crew chief Bootie Barker.
“No. We didn’t. We need to do more of that, but he is a big team player regardless. I think you have people that put the team before themselves, and can kind of get people to rally behind you. Bootie (Barker, former crew chief) was great at that, and I think Charles (Denike, crew chief) is another rendition of that, and it is awesome to see. He can get you ready for battle.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Changes in Bubba Wallace’s Approach to Playoffs
Comparing this playoff appearance with the previous one, Wallace described feeling more at ease despite the usual pressures. He mentioned how last year’s stress contrasted with the more confident and relaxed mindset he arrived with this season, even recalling a sense of novelty at the media day environment.
“I had just gotten through 26 weeks of stress, made the Playoffs and one day to enjoy making the Playoffs and it was here talking to you guys about what is the pressure like, what is the stress like (laughter) – well, I’ve been living it, so it hasn’t really died down. It has kind of ramped back up for me, now, that the Playoffs have started, but I think just enjoying it. I was literally showing up here feeling like the new kid that changed schools and made new friends, and kind of lost being at Playoff media day. I missed you guys.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Fair Treatment and Championship Prospects
Addressing questions about any legal issues or concerns about NASCAR’s treatment of 23XI Racing, Wallace stated that there have been no problems. He strongly rejected the idea that NASCAR might oppose a 23XI championship win, emphasizing that all teams have equal opportunities at the track.
“No issues. I have not had anything.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
“No. I don’t see that at all. It would be really selfish if that was the case, but no. I feel like when we show up to the track, we have equal opportunities and equal chances, just like the other 38, 40 guys that are out there. All good.” —Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Impact of New Playoff Tracks: Gateway and New Hampshire
Wallace discussed the addition of Gateway and New Hampshire to the playoff schedule, saying the team was prepared because the entire schedule was known in advance. He noted Gateway as a particular challenge due to limited historical performance data, while New Hampshire has often been a race marked by variable results.
“We knew the schedule at the beginning of the year, so I think it would be different and more of a story if you didn’t know where we were going for the Playoffs before they started, and then it would be like boom, here we go. But we knew the schedule ahead of time, and after Indy, you look at the schedule and you circle the ones where you might have a little bit more of a challenge. Gateway is one of those because we don’t have numbers there. Loudon, back and forth on that place, but it is another race.”
