After a tough but promising 2024 season, Bubba Wallace is kicking off 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose—and a new crew chief to help him chase victories. The 23XI Racing driver didn’t win a race last year but still delivered his best statistical season. Now, with Charles Denike calling the shots atop the No. 23 pit box, Wallace is hoping to turn consistency into wins.
And if his performance at the Cook Out Clash is any indication, the partnership is already paying dividends.
Wallace & Denike: A Fresh Start at 23XI Racing
When Bootie Barker, Wallace’s longtime crew chief and the man behind his first Cup Series win, stepped away, it left a massive void at 23XI Racing. Enter Charles Denike, a battle-hardened engineer-turned-crew chief with an impressive motorsports résumé.
Denike’s background is unique—he served as a Brigade Engineer in the U.S. Army for nearly a decade before transitioning into NASCAR, where he led Christian Eckes to eight Truck Series wins. That relentless attention to detail and drive for success is already making a difference in Wallace’s camp.
“First day I met Charles, he’s been super just on it, and willing to just bust his a— to figure out where we need to be better,” Wallace said after the Clash. “He’s not afraid of telling you, ‘I need to do this,’ and I’m not afraid to tell him the same thing.”
That level of direct, no-nonsense communication is exactly what Wallace has needed—and it’s showing on track.
Best Clash Finish Ever—And a New Mentality for 2025
Wallace’s fifth-place finish at the Cook Out Clash was his best-ever performance in NASCAR’s season-opening exhibition race. Starting 14th on a track where short-track racing has never been his strength, Wallace methodically worked his way to the front, proving that he and Denike are already meshing well.
Compare that to his 12th-place finish at last year’s Clash with Barker, and the difference is clear.
“I think we’re both on the same page that we were just an average car, and that’s not okay with either of us,” Wallace admitted.
That kind of self-criticism and hunger to improve is what separates good drivers from great ones—and it’s clear that Wallace isn’t settling for anything less than wins this season.
The Keselowski Incident—Wallace’s Honest Apology
While Wallace’s Clash run was largely clean and calculated, he did have one controversial moment—a collision with Brad Keselowski that impacted the No. 6 team’s race.
“Yeah, I hate that I got into the No. 6,” Wallace said post-race. “I didn’t want to get a top-5 finish that way… 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.”
It’s rare to hear such a candid and immediate apology in NASCAR, but it speaks volumes about Wallace’s maturity and accountability heading into the new season.
All Eyes on Daytona—A Test for Wallace & Denike
While Wallace and Denike’s first test together at Bowman Gray was promising, the real challenge comes at Daytona.
“I asked him before the race, ‘Are you nervous?’” Wallace recalled. “He’s like, ‘No. Not yet. But ask me next when we go to Daytona,’ he probably will be.”
And for good reason—Daytona is the biggest wildcard race of the season, and Wallace has shown flashes of brilliance there before, coming close to victory multiple times.
Denike, who has won in the Truck Series, will now have to prove himself on the biggest stage in stock car racing.
The Bigger Picture: Wallace’s Mindset Shift for 2025
Wallace knows what’s at stake this season. 23XI Racing has a championship-winning operation, and Toyota’s performance continues to improve. With a 38-race grind ahead and just one off-week, Wallace is fully committed—and he wants his entire team, including Denike’s family, to know what they’re signing up for.
“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.”
It’s not just about making the playoffs—Wallace wants to win races, and win often.
Final Thoughts: Is 2025 Bubba Wallace’s Breakthrough Year?
Bubba Wallace has always had raw talent, but now he has something even more valuable—a crew chief who speaks his language and a mentality that refuses to settle for mediocrity.
The fifth-place finish at the Clash is a great start, but the real test begins at Daytona and beyond. Can Wallace finally break through and become a consistent winner in the Cup Series?
One thing’s for sure—he’s more motivated than ever.
And with Charles Denike in his corner, don’t be surprised if Wallace turns that hunger into trophies.