Bubba Wallace is prepping for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, riding a wave of confidence after an impressive performance in 2024.
This year, Wallace is joining a new crew chief, Charles Denike, who is taking Bootie Barker's seat on the No. 23 team.
Their first test together was the Clash at Bowman Gray, which took place last weekend. It's a well-known event held at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina—a short track embedded in NASCAR history.
This non-points race gave fans a sneak peek into Wallace's partnership with Denike as they start on their first race weekend together. This comes after six top-5 finishes and 14 top-10 finishes in 2024, which has bolstered his expectations for the upcoming races.
Fortunately, Wallace showed promise by finishing fourth in his heat Saturday evening, and he started Sunday's race in 14th position among a field of 23. However, as the race progressed, Wallace found himself involved in an incident with fellow driver Brad Keselowski.
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Wallace was running eighth on Lap 120, hot on the heels of Keselowski and Ryan Blaney. Aggression escalated when his car made contact with Keselowski's No. 6, causing it to spin. This move dashed Keselowski's chances at a better finish, leaving him in 21st place after beginning the race in fifth. The track's tight nature can easily spur on contact, a hallmark of this iconic track.
Wallace was open about the incident after the race, admitting his part in the collision with Keselowski.
"Yeah, I hate that I got into the No. 6. I didn't want to get a top-5 finish that way," he said during the Fox broadcast. "He was doing everything he was to get down and I got greedy and wanted to fill the hole.
"I didn't really think I hit him that hard, but obviously I did. So I apologize for that."
This situation isn't unique, though, as short-track races are known for their demanding conditions and close-quarters racing.
Looking beyond the incident, Wallace's performance, earning a fifth-place finish, suggests a bright beginning for his partnership with Denike. They're keen on keeping this momentum going as they gear up for NASCAR's showpiece event, the Daytona 500, slated for February 16, 2025, in Florida.
This race will officially kick off the points competition for the year and is a crucial platform for Wallace to make an impression.
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A seasoned driver and a former Cup champion, Keselowski has long been recognized for his skillful and aggressive racing style, though his team's inconsistency plagued their previous season. As both he and Wallace move past the Bowman Gray clash, Keselowski's focus will turn to redemption at Daytona, where he has previously secured victories.
For Wallace and 23XI Racing, co-owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan and seasoned campaigner Denny Hamlin, the coming race at Daytona holds promise. Of course, there are larger things for the team to worry about.
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As NASCAR heads towards the Daytona 500, the excitement builds, and Wallace will certainly be one to watch.
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