Bubba Wallace delivered a landmark win for 23XI Racing at the Brickyard 400, pushing the team firmly into championship contention and capping off his battle on the playoff bubble. The 23XI Racing playoff breakthrough Brickyard 400 came after a season spent navigating challenges and uncertainty, marking a critical step forward for Wallace and the organization co-owned by Denny Hamlin and NBA icon Michael Jordan.
Bubba Wallace’s Persistent Climb Toward the Playoffs
As the Brickyard 400 approached, Bubba Wallace found himself once again fighting for a playoff position. Previously, his two Cup Series victories—Talladega in 2021 and Kansas in 2022—came when he was outside the championship spotlight. In the aftermath of his Kansas triumph, Wallace lingered at the playoff cutline, wrestling for a postseason berth. Heading into Indianapolis, he ranked 16th, with his playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
Faith Within 23XI Racing Remained Strong
Despite six DNFs dragging on Wallace’s season, team optimism endured. On SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, 23XI Racing president Steve Lauletta spoke with confidence regarding Wallace’s chances, outlining the strategic adjustments made within the team. Lauletta credited Dave Rogers, the competition lead, for orchestrating a pivotal crew chief transition, bringing in Charles Denike from the Truck Series and partnering him with Wallace.
“I think they’ve been running really well all year, so nobody was ever losing faith that this is what the end result was going to be that they were gonna make it to Victory Lane,”
Lauletta said.
“You know, I think Dave Rogers, our competition lead, worked super hard in the transition from (Wallace’s former crew chief) Bootie (Barker), finding (current crew chief) Charles Denike in the Truck Series and getting him and Bubba together.”
—Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing
“Nobody was ever losing faith that this was what the end result was going to be.”
—Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing
Crew Chief Change Sparks Momentum Shift
The partnership between Wallace and Denike quickly paid dividends, evidenced by an encouraging seventh-place finish at Dover. This positive momentum culminated in the Brickyard 400 victory, breaking a 100-race winless drought for Wallace. The decision to elevate Denike, who had never before served as a Cup Series crew chief, now appeared justified by the team’s performance and the emotional impact of the long-awaited win.
“It shows that that was the right move, so I think that was a little pressure, you know, somebody that hadn’t crew-chiefed in the Cup Series before and just sort of how we’ve been approaching this,”
Lauletta said. —Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing
Five-Year Plan Reaches Major Milestone
The Brickyard triumph was the team’s first win in its fifth season, aligning with co-owner Denny Hamlin’s long-term blueprint for 23XI Racing. The goal set five years ago began coming to fruition as both Wallace and fellow driver Tyler Reddick moved closer to playoff security. Lauletta acknowledged the significance of this accomplishment, reflecting on the persistent tension of living “on the bubble” and expressing excitement for the renewed focus on the postseason.
“We talk about the five-year plan that Denny set out and we’re in Year 5 here at 23XI,”
Lauletta said.
“So, it’s just a great feeling to get that life on the bubble over for Bubba, which we’ve been living for the last several years and know that we’re in the playoffs and we can focus forward.”
—Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing
An Emotional Victory and Its Impact on the 2025 Season
Wallace’s post-race celebration with his team, wife Amanda, and son Becks underscored the emotional element of breaking through at such a crucial moment in the season. The win was especially meaningful as Wallace faced reigning champion Kyle Larson in a tense battle through multiple overtime restarts, solidifying his place in the sport’s upper echelon.
With this achievement, 23XI Racing is now positioned to compete for the NASCAR crown, as Tyler Reddick holds a comfortable points buffer heading into the final regular-season stretch. While the 2025 campaign began with its own adversity, Hamlin’s vision and the dedication of the organization have set the stage for two of 23XI Racing’s entries to chase the Cup Series championship.
What This Breakthrough Means for 23XI Racing
The 23XI Racing playoff breakthrough Brickyard 400 marks a turning point for both Bubba Wallace and the entire organization. The blend of strategic staff moves, resilient team culture, and steady leadership from figures like Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin proves pivotal. With Wallace’s victory affirming his place in the playoffs and Reddick poised to join him, 23XI Racing has transitioned from a hopeful upstart to a serious contender, fulfilling much of the promise that fueled its creation five years ago. The coming races will determine just how far this energized team can go in pursuit of a championship legacy.
