Bubba Wallace, who drives for 23XI Racing, addressed the press on Wednesday during Daytona 500 media day, expressing high hopes for the upcoming race weekend. With his confidence growing and lessons learned from prior seasons, Wallace sees new opportunities for his team as they return to Daytona, aiming to make a strong impression at one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events.
Memorable Interactions and Off-Track Moments
Wallace shared a glimpse into his recent experiences, recounting time spent with football star Marshawn Lynch during an earlier trip. Wallace said,
“He was really just asking about our schedules and asking about what we do, so there were no really crazy stories. He definitely wanted to go up in a fighter jet. He just inserted himself and went where he wanted to. We were at the military base and he was like ‘can I get in that?’ and they were like ‘sure’, so it was stuff like that. It was fun and a good time, a short trip too.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. Such encounters, Wallace explained, offer much-needed lightheartedness in the demanding world of racing.
Racing with Family and Friends
Discussing travel to Daytona, Wallace described what it was like flying with fellow driver Ryan Blaney with both families in tow.
“He’s a last minute bailer. We had a last minute golf trip and he bails. I’m used to it with Becks being 16 months old. To see he and Gianna (Ryan Blaney’s wife) go through that as well is really cool.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. These personal stories show the camaraderie between drivers, even when balancing family commitments.
Media Appearances and Commercial Work
Recently, Wallace was featured in the Toyota Super Bowl commercial titled ‘Where Dreams Began.’ Reflecting on this, Wallace explained,
“It was cool. It was shot really fast. That one was shot at Ten Tenths (Motor Club) and was a short day. Hanging out with Ace (Mini Bubba from the commercial) was a lot of fun. Cool to see it come together. I had a lot of people texting me after that about how cool it was.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. On being in a Super Bowl ad, he noted,
“It’s cool, not everyone is in a Super Bowl commercial, so I definitely don’t take it for granted. To me it’s just kind of like another day.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. These opportunities outside racing highlight his growing presence both on and off the track.
Preparation and Mindset for the Daytona 500
Wallace is clear about his perspective as he approaches this year’s Daytona 500.
“I feel really good about it. Getting a lot of signs that it’s going to be a good weekend, so don’t ask me what said signs were, but they were good ones. I feel good about our chances, we’ve obviously grown and matured as a team from last year and from the start of 23XI and the start of the 23 team we’ve grown in a lot of spots. To come into this year more confident and more focused. We’ve just got to dot our I’s and cross our t’s, I think I say that every year here at Daytona 500 media day. We just have to put it all together.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. The team’s progress and improved dynamics provide extra momentum going into the race weekend.
Building Stronger Team Dynamics and Growth
Wallace emphasized the evolution of team relationships and internal communication, stating,
“Just getting older, hair is a little longer. Just the communication, you feel more confident in each other and that continues to evolve and grow over the years. It doesn’t matter if it’s Year 1 or Year 20, you learn something new about the people you work with every day. It’s just being more comfortable and putting that all together.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. These evolving connections among teammates, including kids and spouses, contribute to the resilience and adaptability required for a competitive NASCAR season.
The Prestige and Challenges of Winning the Daytona 500
When questioned about whether winning the Daytona 500 remains as prestigious as ever, Wallace asserted,
“It is. I don’t know a way around the strategies we have to do now with fuel savings. I don’t think the sport was smart enough to do it earlier, we could have been doing this for seven or eight years and trying to run people out of fuel. It just evolved over the last five years, this is a new game. It’s just totally different and it’s a different way of going about it. I would say yes, it’s our biggest race of the year and the biggest purse we’ve had, which would be super nice to win.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. Wallace highlights how evolving strategies have changed the race, but not its significance.
Welcoming Corey Heim to the Team
Wallace praised Corey Heim, who is joining 23XI Racing part-time, for his adaptability and fresh perspective.
“Corey’s been there a lot, just understanding how to put it all together and make it work. He’s been a great asset to our team coming off the success he had last year in trucks. I’m really excited for him. He’s talked to me a little bit about contract stuff and I told him make sure you get the (Daytona) 500 in there because if you win that thing it will be a nice pay day. It’s cool to see it all come together and have Robinhood on the car. I think he’s going to be a major asset to our team. To see him grow throughout it all and figure out where he needs to be and put himself in the right spots. I think he adapts pretty well and we will see how it goes.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. Heim’s development is viewed as a key addition to the team’s competitive outlook.
Ambitions for 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series
Looking to the future, Wallace outlined high goals for the organization, saying,
“We want to disrupt the big three (JGR, Hendrick, Penske). We want to put our name in that category, and they are really passionate about that. We had a great leadership meeting a couple weeks ago that emphasized on a lot of key notes and it was a big reflection of all of us in that room. So just high expectations. It starts with waking up with the right attitude and being present and being on time and giving it your all every day. How can you be better than the previous day. It’s understanding that mindset and adapting to that is going to be huge for us. Just keep pushing. This sport is really hard, the big three have been around for awhile. Key people come and go and they insert their philosophies. We are still growing but we’ve already done some pretty cool things in a short amount of time and we have to keep pushing for more.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. Teams such as JGR, Hendrick, and Penske represent the benchmark 23XI strives to compete with at every event.
Continuity with Crew Chief Charles Denike
The relationship with crew chief Charles Denike is another important factor in Wallace’s confidence. He elaborated on their partnership:
“Charles is super easy going, I think I am too. We have a really good relationship that started right off the bat. That helps new pairings and new relationships. He’s been very confident in the work he’s been doing. Halfway through the years he’s leading some of our meetings. You expect a guy who hasn’t been there for long to lean back, but he wanted to insert his philosophy and his mindset as quickly as he could. That says a lot about who he is and who he wants to be. He’s the type of person who takes his job very seriously. He pays attention to detail and I’m excited to have another trip around the sun with him.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. As the pair enter their second year together, their growing rapport may provide added strength during intense races at Daytona and beyond.
Challenging Tracks and Race Strategies
When asked about the most daunting tracks on the schedule, Wallace responded,
“We have two tracks. We are pumped for Loudon, but our results there haven’t been too great so that’s the one that’s circled.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. He also addressed qualifying prospects at Daytona based on past results, saying,
“Not to be a negative Nancy, but we won’t be anywhere near the front row. We qualify about 20th to 25th. Whatever it is, we kind look at each other and wonder where we are going to qualify. Talladega last fall was a nice surprise, we made the top 10 and Riley (Herbst) was the fastest in the first group. I say that, but we could have a nice surprise and be hunting for the pole. We’ve worked hard in all areas that we could to reduce drag and gain speed. It would be nice to be on the front row, but at the same you have the Duel to improve. Last year we started third and didn’t see the checkered flag, so you know how this race goes.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. Such candid insights reveal the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing.
Pursuit of Another Crown Jewel Victory
Wallace, who claimed a crown jewel victory at Indianapolis last season, discussed the opportunity to add a Daytona 500 win to his record.
“That would be sick. You got to do better than what I’ve been doing in the 500, I’ve gotten close. If we can put it all together then why not? I think the first Daytona 500, I didn’t know what I was doing and wound up in second. But then that one, the Penske cars were going to be tough to beat. Everything happens for a reason.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. Achieving this major milestone remains a driving force as Wallace looks to make history for 23XI Racing.
Personal Growth On and Off the Track
Reflecting on recent years, Wallace spoke about his evolving outlook:
“That’s a good question. Being around people and realizing that having my wife and my child and being at home, there’s nothing better than that. I put racing in front for a lot of years. Realizing that family and surrounding yourself with people you want to be around is it. Life is lovely, no complaints.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. This shift emphasizes a newfound balance between racing and family life.
Thoughts on the Playoff Format and Competitive Approach
With the Chase playoff format returning, Wallace was candid about its effect.
“You still have to be smart, but you still get a substantial amount of points for winning. So I don’t think it’s changes that much. Just so the record is clear, I didn’t give a damn about any format. If they changed the format tomorrow, cool. I have a job to do to be the best at that format, that’s my take on it.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. He added,
“It’s all going to come down for those points moments, because you are still fighting for points and points matter. But still if you need two spots and it’s 10 laps to go, you do whatever you can. It will be different, but you won’t have the end of round drama. So when the playoffs start, you really have to lock in for 10 weeks. It’s not three weeks and then reset, it’s 10 weeks.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. Wallace consistently aims to adapt to NASCAR’s evolving competitive landscape.
Goals for the Season and the Road Ahead
When asked how many race victories are reasonable in the current Cup Series, Wallace replied,
“Three? Which I think is very doable for us. That’s a really competitive year. At the same time, you can’t win three races and wreck in the other 33 races. You got to put a good season together and make those three wins count. Just winning isn’t that good, but you got to put the whole season together too.”
– Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver. The goal is clear: chase victories, but also stay consistent to ensure a strong points finish and a shot at the championship.
Significance of the Daytona 500 Media Day and What Lies Ahead
As Bubba Wallace and 23XI Racing head into the Daytona 500 weekend, their energy and confidence signal that they are prepared to challenge established teams like Penske, Hendrick, and Joe Gibbs Racing. The lessons from past experiences, combined with renewed focus and strengthened team relationships, make them contenders to watch. The ambitions of Wallace, the growing role of teammates like Corey Heim, and the supportive leadership of Charles Denike all indicate that 23XI Racing is set on disrupting the established NASCAR hierarchy at Daytona and throughout the season.
