Last year at Daytona, Bubba Wallace was left with nothing but disappointment. After a strong run, he finished a frustrating fifth in the Great American Race—marking his seventh consecutive Daytona 500 without a win. The frustration was real. But then came a simple, powerful text from his boss, Michael Jordan:
“Things you want more cost more.”
Those words stuck with Wallace. They were more than just a motivational message—they were a challenge. Success demands more effort, more resilience, and unwavering belief. Fast forward to 2025, and Wallace looked like a man possessed, determined to finally break through at Daytona.
Bubba Wallace Wins His First Duel at Daytona
The 23XI Racing driver dominated the field in Duel 1 at Daytona, delivering a statement win and locking himself into the third spot on the starting grid for the Daytona 500—his best-ever starting position in the sport’s biggest race.
Starting 15th, Wallace wasted no time moving up the order. With help from teammate Tyler Reddick, he took control, leading a race-high 21 laps before holding off a late challenge to secure his first-ever Duel victory.
As celebrations erupted, Wallace shared a now-viral Instagram video capturing Jordan’s priceless reaction.
In the clip, Wallace hands over his Duel trophy to Jordan, who beams with pride before saying:
“Good job, kid. That’s a good start.”
Wallace’s caption?
“Brought the Big Boss back some hardware.”
For a driver who has battled doubt, criticism, and immense pressure, hearing those words from a six-time NBA champion meant everything.
Not Just Luck—Wallace Proves He’s a Contender
This wasn’t a fluke. Wallace outperformed some of NASCAR’s best, showing the true strength of his No. 23 Toyota.
When the race neared its climax, a late-race crash involving Ty Dillon and AJ Allmendinger nearly shook things up—but Wallace kept his composure.
And here’s the thing: Wallace has always been a Daytona threat.
- Three career runner-up finishes at Daytona (including two in the Daytona 500)
- Five Top 5s in 15 Daytona starts
- Top 5 finishes in two of the last three seasons
Now, he’s starting from the second row with one of the strongest cars in the field.
More Than a Win—A Statement for 23XI Racing
Wallace’s Duel victory couldn’t have come at a better time for 23XI Racing.
The team—co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin—is currently locked in a legal battle with NASCAR over the charter agreement, fighting for ownership rights and revenue-sharing.
With Wallace and Reddick showing strong pace, the team isn’t just fighting in the courtroom—they’re making noise on the track.
But Wallace knows the Daytona 500 remains unfinished business.
“I got a team that believes in me, and I have just as much faith in this team,” Wallace told reporters.
After five years of near misses, could this finally be his moment? The journey from heartbreak to victory lane is one Wallace has been chasing for too long.
On Sunday, he’ll get one more shot at the win that has eluded him for years.
