Bubba Wallace clinched a dramatic milestone for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing on July 27, 2025, by capturing a long-awaited victory at the Brickyard 400. This 23XI Racing historic NASCAR Brickyard win has placed the team among a notably exclusive group of open entry winners in modern NASCAR racing.
This achievement establishes 23XI Racing as just the third open team to win a NASCAR Cup Series event since the charter system began in 2016—joining only Kaulig Racing and Trackhouse Racing in this select club. The circumstances add extra weight, as the team is currently considered an open entry while embroiled in a federal antitrust lawsuit, after a U.S. District Court judge denied their bid for a temporary restraining order to keep their chartered status.
Wallace Ends Winless Streak with Emotional Indianapolis Finish
Wallace’s stunning win ended a 100-race drought dating back to September 2022. The 31-year-old driver persevered through two tense overtime restarts and outpaced defending champion Kyle Larson by just 0.222 seconds in an electrifying conclusion at Indianapolis Motor Speedway—one of NASCAR’s most prestigious venues.
“To win here at the Brickyard, knowing how big this race is, knowing all the noise that’s going on in the background, to set that all aside is a testament to these people here on this 23 team.”
—Bubba Wallace, Driver
There were tense moments in the final laps as Wallace and his team juggled concerns over fuel mileage, yet he kept his composure and seized the top spot. The Brickyard 400 victory stands out as the first regular season triumph for an open entry since the charter system’s introduction, differing significantly from Wallace’s earlier playoff wins at Talladega and Kansas.
23XI Racing Joins Small Circle of Open Team Winners
Wallace’s win at Indianapolis shines when viewed alongside the very few open entry teams to claim NASCAR Cup Series races in the charter era. Kaulig Racing made history when AJ Allmendinger won at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in 2021. Trackhouse Racing followed suit with Shane van Gisbergen’s remarkable first race victory at the Chicago Street Course in 2023, marking the first debut win since 1963 by a New Zealand native.
“With the win today, @23XIRacing became the third “Open” entry team to win a #NASCAR Cup Series race since the adoption of the Charter System. 23XI Racing joins Kaulig Racing (Indy Road Course 2021) and Trackhouse Racing (Chicago Street Course 2023).”
—Toby Christie, NASCAR Reporter
Unlike chartered teams, open entries like 23XI Racing must confront frequent disadvantages: no guaranteed spot in each race, roughly 30% less in prize payouts, and limited development resources. These obstacles underline the magnitude of Wallace’s success in the fiercely competitive Cup Series.
This win underscores Michael Jordan’s vision at 23XI Racing, demonstrating that determination and strategy can propel a team into NASCAR’s premier ranks, even against systematic and financial headwinds. The victory at Indianapolis symbolizes not only a key moment for the 23 team but a breakthrough for those who hope to contend outside the established charter network.
As 23XI Racing basks in the significance of this historic Brickyard 400 triumph, all eyes will be on how the team, led by Wallace and supported by figures like Michael Jordan, navigates future challenges—including its ongoing legal battle—and whether this momentum can reshape the competitive landscape for open entries in NASCAR’s charter era.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is the CEO of 23XI Racing?
A. The team is run and owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and a three-time Daytona 500 champ.
Q. Did NASCAR ban 23XI Racing?
A. This season, over 40 cars have joined a race just two times. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports will participate as open teams in the upcoming races at Dover and Indianapolis. They sought a temporary restraining order to protect their chartered status, but NASCAR denied it.
