Bubba Wallace, driver for 23XI Racing, recently expressed his admiration for his former teammate Kurt Busch after Busch’s announcement as a 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee. In an interview ahead of the Coca-Cola 600, Wallace reflected on Busch’s achievements and the significance of this honor.
Earlier this week, NASCAR revealed its 2026 Hall of Fame class, with Kurt Busch among the inductees. Busch’s distinguished career includes 34 wins, 161 top-five finishes, and 339 top-ten results across 776 starts. His accolades also feature the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series championship and 28 pole positions over 23 years of competition. Busch spent parts of his final season in NASCAR driving for 23XI Racing alongside Bubba Wallace.
Wallace, speaking to Frontstretch Media, highlighted the fairness of Busch’s induction, sharing his respect for the former champion. He noted the progression from Busch initially being a controversial figure to now being widely recognized for his accomplishments and character. Reflecting on their time racing together, Wallace said:
“Yeah, it was cool to hear that first he was dominated and then to get accepted. It was really wonderful. Slightly, there was awesome. So we’ve shared a couple of texts. He’s super excited, proud of him, honored to call him a friend but also a teammate. Yeah, I think it’s well-deserving for sure.” —Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver
During the 2022 season with 23XI Racing, Busch piloted the #45 Chevrolet, finishing 30th in the standings with one victory, five top-five finishes, and eight top-ten results. Wallace concluded the same year placed 19th, earning one win, five top fives, and ten top tens. Their shared time on the team allowed Wallace to witness firsthand Busch’s talent and determination.
Wallace Discusses Pressure Felt Amidst Teammate’s Rising Success
In a separate conversation earlier this year on Kevin Harvick’s ‘Happy Hour’ podcast, Bubba Wallace opened up about the pressure he feels competing alongside his 23XI teammate Tyler Reddick. Wallace described how witnessing Reddick’s strong performance in the 2025 season motivated him personally rather than stirring jealousy.
Wallace explained,
“Seeing the success of the 45, not from a jealousy standpoint, but it’s like ‘I have the same stuff,’ and I feel like I’m just as competitive as Tyler. I put all that weight on me, that pressure on me. So, I’m back in the gym, and nobody’s telling me, ‘Hey, you need to work out to run better; you need to be in more meetings to understand better.’ I took that upon myself as, like, ‘I’m doing just enough to get by, and that’s not okay.” —Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver
This introspective stance shows Wallace’s determination to improve continually and not settle for merely adequate performances, especially while competing among a highly skilled team.
Wallace’s Position in the Current NASCAR Championship Battle
As the 2025 season progresses, Bubba Wallace holds tenth place in the NASCAR Cup Series championship points standings, accumulating 310 points with twelve races completed. This includes four top-ten finishes and two top fives. Tyler Reddick, meanwhile, stands higher at sixth place with 357 points, adding four top tens, three top fives, and a pole at the Circuit of the Americas to his record this season.
These standings underscore the competitive dynamic within 23XI Racing and the ongoing challenges Wallace faces. His candid reflections and efforts to push beyond his limits demonstrate a strong resolve to elevate his performance in the coming races.
Looking ahead, Wallace’s mindset and the inspiration drawn from teammates like Kurt Busch and Tyler Reddick suggest potential growth as he navigates the remainder of the NASCAR season, striving to improve his standings and secure further victories.
