Bubba Wallace lands Coca-Cola sponsorship for 2025 season after a turbulent weekend at the Pocono Cup Series race, where mechanical issues and bad luck led to his early exit. The 23XI Racing driver endured disappointment on track before news broke of his significant new partnership for the upcoming NASCAR season.
Disappointment Strikes Wallace at Pocono
Bubba Wallace’s race at Pocono took a turn for the worse during Stage 2 when, on Lap 56, a brake failure caused his right-front tire to blow, forcing him out of contention. He was taken to the infield care center and subsequently released, but the frustration was evident in his demeanor.
This outcome was especially difficult for Wallace, who had already started at the back of the field after being penalized for unapproved adjustments in Saturday’s qualifying session. Despite his efforts, he was unable to move ahead of the pack during the early part of the race, consistently remaining in the rear half for the first 50 laps.
When the checkered flag waved, Wallace finished 36th, marking his seventh “Did Not Finish” of the season. In a post-race interview with Kim Coon, he did not hide his feelings about the day’s harsh result.
“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
Similar Troubles for Riley Herbst and Current Standings
Wallace’s struggles at Pocono were mirrored by 23XI Racing newcomer Riley Herbst, who faced his own setback after his car suffered a blown tire and crashed in Turn 1 on Lap 43. Like Wallace, Herbst was given a DNF and earned just one point for the race.
As of the 17th race in the season, Wallace stands 12th in driver points with 413, while Riley Herbst sits further back at 35th with 198 points.
Looking ahead, both drivers turn their focus to the Quaker State 400 at Echopark Speedway, scheduled for June 28. The race will be televised on TNT Sports starting at 7 PM ET and broadcast on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Coca-Cola Partnership Brings New Opportunities
Despite the recent on-track adversity, 23XI Racing recently confirmed that Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 team have inked a deal making Coca-Cola their official sponsor and soft-drink partner for 2025. In addition to prominent branding throughout the season, Coca-Cola will also be joining as a full-season associate partner, strengthening their ties with both Wallace and the race team.
Discussing the collaboration, 23XI Racing president Steve Lauletta emphasized the broader impact of this partnership.
“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, President, 23XI Racing
“We also look forward to creating special moments for 23XI fans to meet Bubba at select races,”
he added. —Steve Lauletta, President, 23XI Racing
Wallace’s Toyota Camry is set to feature Coca-Cola Consolidated branding during races throughout the season, with specific dates to be announced. Additionally, Wallace will engage in various on- and off-track activities, including events at select universities in the Carolinas, further connecting with fans and communities.
The Road Forward for Wallace and 23XI Racing
While the outcome at Pocono undoubtedly weighs on Bubba Wallace and his team, the newly announced Coca-Cola sponsorship signals a fresh chapter for the No. 23 driver. As Wallace prepares for the upcoming Quaker State 400 and future events, both he and the organization look to channel renewed energy from their latest partnership, aiming for greater success on and off the track in the 2025 NASCAR season.
