Bubba Wallace is preparing to start his ninth full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series, and as the new racing year gets underway, 23XI Racing NASCAR ambitions are coming into sharper focus. With momentum from his breakthrough victories and a strengthened team dynamic, Wallace and 23XI Racing are taking determined steps to challenge the established leaders of the sport this season.
Building on a Career-Defining Year
Wallace, coming off his best season so far, celebrated a landmark win at the Brickyard 400, along with personal bests for top-five and top-10 finishes, and a record number of laps led totaling 378. Despite these successes, both he and his team believe they have yet to reach their true ceiling, and greater achievements remain ahead.
The prior season brought its share of hurdles. Notably, the organization weathered a significant distraction in the form of an antitrust lawsuit involving NASCAR, Front Row Motorsports, and 23XI Racing itself, which cast uncertainty on the team’s future in the sport. Additionally, Wallace found himself working with a new crew chief, Charles Denike, who was promoted from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to the Cup Series, presenting another layer of adjustment for the driver and team.
Renewed Team Spirit and Strong Partnerships
Resolution of the lawsuit and the growing partnership between Wallace and Denike have resulted in a renewed confidence across the No. 23 crew as they charge into a new season together.
“Charles is super easy going, I think I am too,”
Wallace said, describing the ease of working with Denike.
Wallace expressed greater optimism as the year begins, especially about their prospects at the DAYTONA 500, where he has an opportunity to carve out history.
“We have a really good relationship that started right off the bat. He’s been very confident with the work he’s been doing. Halfway through the year, he’s leading some of our meetings. 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, Driver
He is aiming to become the first African-American driver to win what is often called NASCAR’s biggest race. His excitement for the weekend is palpable, reflected in pre-race preparations and the sense that the team has matured collectively.
“I feel really good about it. Getting a lot of signs that it’s going to be a good weekend,”
Wallace said.
“We’ve grown and matured as a team. To come into this year more confident and more focused — we’ve just got to dot our I’s and cross our T’s. We just have to put it all together.”
– Bubba Wallace, Driver
Expansion and Ambition: 23XI Racing’s Evolution
The evolution of 23XI Racing has been rapid and strategic since its debut in 2021. What started as a one-car outfit for Wallace has grown swiftly; in 2026, the team, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Cup Series star Denny Hamlin, will operate three full-time cars with Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst joining Wallace in the line-up. Further demonstrating their growth, 23XI Racing will also enter a fourth car, the No. 67, which development driver Corey Heim will pilot in a dozen races throughout the season.
Taking Aim at NASCAR’s Top Contenders
Pushing beyond previous achievements, 23XI Racing is preparing to challenge long-established teams like Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Team Penske—the so-called “big three” of NASCAR. Wallace shared the organization’s vision to join the sport’s elite ranks and disrupt the traditional balance of power.
“We want to disrupt the big three. We want to put our name in that category, and they are really passionate about that,”
Wallace said, referencing his competitors and the drive within his own team.
He referenced a recent leadership meeting as a sign of how focused the organization has become.
“We had a great leadership meeting a couple of weeks ago that emphasized a lot of key notes, and it was a big reflection of all of us in that room. So just high expectations.”
– Bubba Wallace, Driver
The established dominance of Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, and Team Penske remains formidable due to their vast personnel and experience, but Wallace believes that the ambitious spirit of 23XI Racing—combined with strategic partnerships and leadership—can help narrow the gap at the top of the standings.
Looking Ahead: High Stakes and Elevated Expectations
As the new NASCAR Cup Series season begins, Bubba Wallace and the expanding 23XI Racing team find themselves on the threshold of a pivotal year. With the return of key figures such as Charles Denike, and additional drivers like Tyler Reddick, Riley Herbst, and Corey Heim in the fold, the organization is poised to challenge for wins and push deeper into the sport’s upper echelon.
The coming months promise to be crucial for Wallace, Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, and their roster, as they seek to transform their ambitions into tangible success on the track and close the gap with NASCAR’s traditional giants. The ambition and energy radiating from the team signals that 23XI Racing’s pursuit of Cup Series glory is only just beginning.
