Renowned NASCAR driver, Bubba Wallace, known for his intense emotions on the track, has surprised fans and colleagues with a noticeable shift in attitude. In 2025, Wallace’s persona took a turn for the better, much to the astonishment of his wife, Amanda. His typically overt display of frustration at the Daytona 500 transformed into a beaming smile, despite finishing 29th. “Hey, I’m good. We lost… Chill. We’re good… New year, new me,” Wallace spoke to Amanda in Atlanta, displaying an unexpected resilience.
His newfound calm and composed demeanor, despite facing racing setbacks, marked a significant change in Wallace’s approach to racing. It was a seismic shift from the Bubba Wallace that fans had grown accustomed to, who was known to take every defeat to heart. This transformation was largely attributed to the birth of his son, who had evidently given Wallace a fresh outlook on life.
Wallace’s evolution was evident during the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he demonstrated one of his best career performances by finishing third. Even a costly mistake that could have cost him the win didn’t dampen his spirits. Instead, he decided to lighten the mood and play a prank on his team, reinforcing the fact that this “new Bubba” was here to stay.
On the final lap at Homestead, Wallace, with no challengers behind him, was set to secure a P3 finish, his best result of the year. But instead of simply cruising to the finish line, he decided to pull a prank. He announced over the team radio, “I think I got a tire down,” causing a moment of stunned silence. His spotter, Freddie Kraft, was thrown off, struggling to comprehend the sudden announcement. Upon realizing the prank, Kraft responded with an expletive, to which Wallace, still laughing, replied, “I had to make some f—— light of my f— up.”
This was a stark contrast from the Wallace fans were used to. He was no longer dwelling on his mistakes but focusing on the positives, a change that was well-received by fans. One fan perfectly encapsulated the sentiment, stating, “Been super proud of you guys this year. Different Bubba and I’m loving it.” The appreciation for this unspoken side of Wallace was widespread, with fans praising his newfound positivity.
Despite not winning, Wallace had a lot to be proud of. His performance at Homestead-Miami was his strongest of the season, leading 56 laps, his highest since his last win in September 2022, and holding his own against top drivers like Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman. Even a late mistake didn’t deter Wallace’s positivity. His consistent performances have seen him rise to seventh in the Cup Series standings, his best-ever position six races into a season.
Fans were not only impressed with Wallace’s on-track performance but also enjoyed his light-hearted banter. His late-race joke had NASCAR fans in stitches and earned him plenty of online praise. Some attributed his positive changes to his recent initiation into fatherhood. “Fatherhood looks good on Bubba. Love seeing him in a good head space,” wrote one fan. Bubba and Amanda welcomed their son Becks Hayden Wallace in late September, which seems to have enlightened the driver’s attitude towards racing.
Wallace’s transformation has been well-received by fans and colleagues alike, with many praising his positivity and sense of humor. Even broadcasters were fooled by Wallace’s prank, causing a wave of laughter among fans. “Fox missed the ‘just kidding’ part and reported that ya did have a tire going down,” a fan noted.
Wallace may not have won at Homestead-Miami, but he certainly made a lasting impression. His newfound confidence, humor, and strong performance have not only made him a fan favorite but also indicate that his next victory could be right around the corner.
