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Bubba Wallace Sets the Tone with New Crew Chief: ‘I Wanna Win, But I Wanna Have Fun Too’

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
January 31, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Bubba Wallace Sets the Tone with New Crew Chief: ‘I Wanna Win, But I Wanna Have Fun Too’

Nov 10, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

A new season, a new crew chief, and a fresh challenge for Bubba Wallace—23XI Racing is gearing up for an intense 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign. But while Wallace is laser-focused on winning, he’s making one thing clear: Success shouldn’t come at the cost of fun.

With longtime crew chief Bootie Barker stepping aside, the No. 23 team is entering a new era under Charles Denike, a proven winner from the Craftsman Truck Series. And as the season approaches, Wallace is setting the foundation for what he hopes will be a winning partnership—one built on both hard work and camaraderie.

A New Era for the No. 23: Wallace and Denike Start Fresh

23XI Racing has become known for its close-knit, family-like atmosphere, and no one embodies that spirit more than Bubba Wallace. His playful dynamic with teammate Tyler Reddick and spotter Freddie Kraft is well-documented, but when it comes to his new crew chief, Wallace is taking a more measured approach.

On a recent episode of NASCAR Live, Wallace expressed both admiration and caution when discussing his new pit boss.

“I got to meet Charles last year for the first time… He’s like super smart, he’s come from a military background. So he’s just very punctual, very set.”

Denike may be stepping into the NASCAR Cup Series spotlight for the first time, but he’s no stranger to victory lane, boasting nine Truck Series wins. However, Wallace understands that transitioning from Trucks to Cup is a massive leap, and he’s committed to helping Denike adjust.

“It’s a massive jump. I think that the more time we spend around each other… And I’m excited… I want to let his wife and kids know that this is a massive commitment. Especially 2025 – 38 races, one off-weekend – like it’s no joke.”

The Winning Formula: Hard Work and Having Fun

Wallace is no stranger to new partnerships. When Bootie Barker took over as his crew chief for the final eight races of 2021, they wasted no time making history—winning at Talladega in just their fifth race together. Now, Wallace hopes to build similar chemistry with Denike—but he insists that winning can’t be just about pressure and intensity.

His message to Denike? “I wanna win races, but also I just wanna have fun.”

“The first encounter I had, I probably reiterated to him 23 times about how much fun I wanted to have,” Wallace joked. “When you have fun, that’s when you start winning races.”

That sentiment might sound lighthearted, but Wallace knows there’s truth in it. The most successful driver-crew chief duos in history—Kevin Harvick and Rodney Childers, Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart—weren’t just built on strategy and execution. They were built on trust, mutual respect, and an environment that encouraged confidence.

Can Wallace and Denike Deliver in 2025?

The 2025 season is shaping up to be a defining year for Bubba Wallace. He’s coming off a solid 2024 campaign and now has a golden opportunity to elevate himself into NASCAR’s elite tier.

With Denike calling the shots, 23XI Racing continues to invest in the future, hoping this new partnership unlocks Wallace’s full potential. If history is any indicator, if Wallace can find joy in the process, the results will follow.

The real question now: Will 2025 bring more victories to the No. 23 team?

One thing’s for sure—Wallace and Denike are ready to find out.

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