Bubba Wallace’s frustrating Pocono race breakdown ended dramatically on Lap 56 of Sunday’s Cup Series event when his brakes failed catastrophically, causing a blowout of the right-front tire. This incident forced Wallace out of contention during Stage 2 at Pocono Raceway and led to his visit to the infield care center, where he was checked and released. The unexpected mechanical issue dashed any chance of progress for Wallace, who started the race from the back of the pack after serving a penalty for unapproved car adjustments during qualifying.
Race Day Difficulties Compound Frustrations
Wallace’s troubles began before the green flag, as his penalty placed him at a significant disadvantage. Throughout the initial 50 laps, he remained stuck in the rear half of the field, unable to advance due to the combination of his starting position and on-track challenges. Ultimately, Wallace finished in 36th place, marking his sixth DNF of the 2025 season, a statistic that added to his visible frustration in the post-race interview. Speaking candidly with reporter Kim Coon, Wallace expressed his disappointment with the day’s performance.
“I apologize to the racing gods,” Bubba Wallace said (0:30). “This weekend sucked aside from practice but that pays nothing. Hate it for my guys, hate it for McDonald’s. We knew it was gonna be a grind, and I was mentally prepared for that all day.” —Bubba Wallace, NASCAR driver
His teammate Riley Herbst faced a similar fate after a tire blowout and crash on Lap 43 in Turn 1, also resulting in a DNF. Both drivers managed to collect one point each despite their early exits. As the season advances, Wallace currently holds 12th place in the driver standings with 413 points, while Herbst is positioned 35th with 198 points.
Upcoming Competition at Quaker State 400
The Cup Series will continue on June 28 with the Quaker State 400 at Echopark Speedway, previously known as Atlanta Motor Speedway. This 260-lap race is expected to draw attention as drivers aim to bounce back. The event will air on TNT Sports starting at 7 PM ET, with live radio coverage provided by PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Both Wallace and Herbst will be looking to improve their standings and avoid further setbacks in what has been a challenging season.
Bubba Wallace Welcomes Coca-Cola as New 2025 Sponsor
Despite recent setbacks on the track, Wallace’s No. 23 team at 23XI Racing secured a significant partnership earlier this year, landing Coca-Cola as their official sponsor and soft-drink partner for the full 2025 season. This collaboration includes branding opportunities on Wallace’s Toyota Camry at selected races and extends beyond racing to outreach programs aimed at college students in the Carolinas.
“We’re excited to welcome Coca-Cola Consolidated to the 23XI family. For decades, Coca-Cola Consolidated has had a significant impact in the communities they serve, and we look forward to collaborating with them on meaningful programs that give college students a behind-the-scenes look at how our team operates.” —Steve Lauletta, 23XI Racing President
“We also look forward to creating special moments for 23XI fans to meet Bubba at select races,” he added. —Steve Lauletta, 23XI Racing President
As part of the partnership, Wallace will participate in both on- and off-track events, including engagements at universities in the Carolinas. This alliance signals a commitment to community involvement and promotional efforts that extend the team‘s presence beyond just race days.
