Bubba Wallace raised excitement ahead of the Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway by teaming up with fellow 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick for a round of paintball in Fort Worth, Texas. The energetic outing, held on May 3, was highlighted by an Instagram post from Bubba Wallace, showcasing the duo geared up with paintball guns and ready for action, demonstrating their bond and competitive spirit just hours before hitting the track for the season’s 11th Cup Series race.
Heading into the Texas event, Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick shared an identical stat line, each boasting four top-ten finishes and two appearances on the podium during the 2025 Cup Series season. However, trailing his teammate by a narrow seven-point gap in the Driver’s standings, Bubba Wallace aimed to gain ground, especially after achieving a ninth-place qualifying—eight positions ahead of Reddick. This small but crucial advantage has further intensified their internal competition within 23XI Racing.
In his previous race at Talladega Superspeedway, Bubba Wallace delivered a strong performance, leading five laps and capturing a stage win over Joey Logano. Initially finishing tenth, Wallace was bumped up to eighth after penalties were handed out to competitors. Reddick, on the other hand, placed six spots behind, as Austin Cindric clinched the victory. Reflecting on his recent results, Bubba Wallace addressed the media with candor, acknowledging the motivation and pressure that comes from racing alongside a successful teammate like Tyler Reddick.
Despite an 89-race winless streak entering the Texas race, Bubba Wallace’s determination hasn’t wavered. He last reached Victory Lane in 2022 at Kansas Speedway, but a promising start to 2025—including a win at the Duel 2 Daytona 500 qualifier—has injected fresh optimism. Nevertheless, an early-season setback saw Bubba Wallace finish 29th at Daytona after being involved in a multi-car wreck, while Tyler Reddick managed to steer clear of incidents and finished second.
In a recent appearance on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Bubba Wallace spoke openly about the added pressure that comes from Tyler Reddick’s trio of victories during the 2024 season. He acknowledged that this competitive edge has pushed him to assess and adjust his approach, hoping to meet not only external expectations but also those he sets for himself.
The pre-race paintball session, filled with laughter and healthy rivalry, offered Bubba Wallace a chance to channel nerves and tension into team camaraderie. As preparations for the Wurth 400 continue, all eyes remain on Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, whose performances in Texas could reshape the momentum in the fiercely contested Cup Series season.
