Bubba Wallace, the 23XI Racing driver, has decided to miss an upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race to be present for the birth of his second child, making family his top priority. Wallace, who previously missed the birth of his son Becks Hayden due to a race conflict, shared his plans in a recent podcast appearance, demonstrating a notable shift in his approach to balancing racing and fatherhood. The focus keyword, “Bubba Wallace skips NASCAR race,” underscores the significance of his decision within the motorsport community.
During an episode of the Teardown podcast, Wallace discussed the emotional challenge of missing his first child’s birth while competing at Kansas Speedway. Becks Hayden was born on September 29, 2024, as Wallace was participating in the 267-lap race, where he started 13th and finished 17th. Wallace reflected on that experience and announced that arrangements are in place with 23XI Racing for a substitute to drive his #23 Toyota during a race scheduled for March, should the timing of the new child’s arrival require it.
Wallace Opens Up About Missing First Child’s Birth
The decision marks a change from Wallace’s previous approach. During the podcast, Wallace told hosts Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi,
“We’ve made the decision. I unfortunately missed the birth of my first kid; I’m not missing the second one. It was actually Amanda’s call on the first one. She was like, ‘Winning is so important. I don’t see a scenario where you’re not missing him, unless he came on like a Wednesday, but Becks is an asshole and came on Sunday at two o’clock. But that was her call.”
This personal insight was reinforced with Wallace’s determination not to repeat the same mistake for his second child. He elaborated,
“This go-around,” I said, “I’m not missing another one.” People that don’t know that I missed ask, ‘Well, how did you do in the emergency room?’ I’m like, ‘I wasn’t there,’ and then you see their look on their faces, they’re like, ‘Oh,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I was racing,’ and I don’t want to do that. “It’s fine. I lost the race that day. It’s okay. I can get another race next week. I don’t get another kid. I will be missing a race if it comes down to that, and that’s it, final,” he added.
This candid admission highlights the emotional struggle many professional athletes face when personal milestones clash with career obligations.
Wallace’s Recent Activities and Sporting Highlights
In addition to his family news, Wallace’s profile remains high ahead of the Daytona 500. He recently featured in a Toyota advertisement aired during Super Bowl LX and expressed admiration for Bad Bunny’s halftime show performance. This exposure keeps him in the public eye as anticipation builds for the major NASCAR events.
23XI Racing Secures Sponsorship and Resolves Charter Dispute Before Daytona 500
Meanwhile, Wallace’s team, 23XI Racing, enters the Daytona 500 with renewed momentum. The team settled a long-running antitrust lawsuit with NASCAR and successfully regained its charters for the 2026 Cup Series season. As the new season approaches, the organization has announced key sponsorships for its roster of drivers, including Wallace with Xfinity on the #23 Toyota Camry XSE and teammate Corey Heim partnered with Robinhood. Tyler Reddick is driving a Chumba Casino Camry, while Riley Herbst takes the wheel in a Monster Energy-sponsored car.
Commenting on the partnership, Robinhood’s Chief Brokerage Officer, Steve Quirk, said,
“Building on the momentum of last year, this renewed partnership reflects the strong foundation we’ve created together,” said Steve Quirk, Chief Brokerage Officer at Robinhood Markets. “We’re proud to support Bubba Wallace, Corey Heim, and the entire 23XI team as they compete this season and bring the Robinhood brand to life on track.”
The expanded sponsorship and regained charters are vital for the team’s competitive stability in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series.
Outlook for Daytona 500 and Season Ahead
Bubba Wallace first competed in the Daytona 500 in 2018 while driving for Richard Petty Motorsports and achieved a runner-up finish in 2021, marking a milestone with 23XI Racing. The 2026 Daytona 500 kicks off on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway, beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET, launching a season filled with anticipation and fresh opportunities for both Wallace and his teammates. As Wallace steps back temporarily from racing for the birth of his child, the decision signals a powerful message about balancing personal values with the intense demands of professional motorsport. The spotlight now turns to his replacement for the #23 car and the continuing evolution of driver priorities within NASCAR’s elite ranks.
"I'm not missing the second one"
Bubba's decision is clear: If it's race day, Bubba will still be there to witness the birth of his second child. pic.twitter.com/OgC22sEfNS
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) February 13, 2026
