Bubba Wallace Brickyard 400 victory at Indianapolis last Sunday ended a 100-race drought, as he outpaced Kyle Larson during several overtime restarts. Wallace’s dramatic win not only broke a years-long dry spell, but also clinched his spot in the playoffs and gave 23XI Racing a crowning achievement. Wallace credits the perseverance and determination that carried him through tough times to the steadfast support of his wife, Amanda Wallace.
The signficant moment for Wallace came not only from winning at a historical venue, but the experience he shared with his family. He reflected on the event ahead of the Iowa races, describing the powerful emotions surrounding the sight of Amanda and their family together after the checkered flag. According to Wallace, their collective celebration, captured as they kissed the bricks at Indianapolis, marked a lasting memory from his landmark weekend.
“The moment would be when my wife walked up and said we did it. That one gets me still now. Because man, it’s been three years. You guys have no idea of what it’s like in my shoes and in my head, (but) she lives that.”
—Bubba Wallace, Driver
Throughout his challenging stretch without a win, Amanda Wallace played a crucial support role, witnessing the pressures and emotional struggles that Bubba faced each day. As he coped with growing frustration and doubt, Amanda encouraged him to share the emotional burden, emphasizing the power of teamwork beyond the racetrack.
“She’s there every day seeing me go through the downs and the outs and the self-doubt. Waking up and it’s not a good day, I still have those days, but not as bad as in the past for sure, but still you have them,”
—Bubba Wallace, Driver
After finally sealing the win at Indianapolis, Amanda’s words, “We did it,” became the most meaningful highlight of Wallace’s celebrated weekend; the phrase symbolized the shared struggle and victory that both endured through the demanding years. For Wallace, that moment carried greater weight than any trophy or on-track success could bring.
A Subdued but Impactful Celebration After Reaching Victory Lane
Wallace’s triumph granted him an automatic playoff berth, but for him, the occasion was not about wild festivities. Contrasting previous celebrations, the 23XI Racing driver explained that age, fatherhood, and a maturing perspective softened his approach to victory. He recognized that with a baby at home, his priorities had shifted, and even joked about the realities of a hangover after just two beers—a distinct change from earlier, rowdier celebrations.
The race shop became the heart of the celebration, as Wallace invited the entire No. 23 crew to join. Even as celebration filled the air, work soon resumed, with everyone reliving the race’s final moments while preparing for the next challenge. Family remained central throughout the week, as Wallace balanced both decompressing from the win and preparing mentally for the coming races.
The victory brought a deep sense of relief to Wallace, who described the feeling as if a heavy boulder had been lifted. The Brickyard 400 win not only ended his long wait for another checkered flag, but also injected him with newfound confidence as he set his sights on the playoffs. With Indianapolis now in the past, Wallace and his team face a new set of priorities, fueled by the momentum of overcoming one of NASCAR’s most difficult droughts.
