Bubba Wallace Continues His Progress with New Crew Chief at 23XI Racing

MARTINSVILLE, Va.— After Bubba Wallace scored back-to-back third-place finishes, no one would have been surprised to see him celebrate his accomplishment by performing cartwheels down the front stretch at Martinsville Speedway.

Considering that in 262 NASCAR cup starts, the 31-year-old driver of the No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota has just 12 podium appearances, it stands to reason he would relish the moment.

But not Wallace. He wants — and expects — more.

“It was a good day,” Wallace said. “But I’m frustrated with a third. I haven’t said that too many times in my Cup career. But, all-in-all, a good day, a good day for Toyota, top-three positions there, was big.

“I just need a little bit more. That’s what we’re all separated by, just a little bit more.”

Wallace topped the speed chart in practice on Saturday in both single-lap runs and best consecutive 10-lap averages.

On Sunday, his team co-owner and fellow Toyota driver, Denny Hamlin, dominated the Cook Out 400. Hamlin won the second stage and led 274 laps en route to his sixth victory at the 0.526-mile track and his 55th career Cup win.

Polesitter Christopher Bell, who won three of the first five races to start the season, finished second.

“I feel like we were definitely better than the 20 (Bell), but just everybody got so stuck,” Wallace said. “When you feel like you have an advantage, you can’t really do anything with it.

“We need to continue to work on this package, but all-in-all, back-to-back top-fives is a good day. It’s usually around those summer months when we do that.

“It is nice to have a really good points day. I’m sure that’s what the text from MJ (Michael Jordan, co-owner, 23XI Racing) will say.”

Wallace collected additional points for his third-place finish in Stage 2. His two podium results in the last two races have vaulted the No. 23 team from 11th to eighth in the standings.

After the first seven races last year, Wallace was 14th in the standings with two top-five finishes. In 2025, Wallace has two top fives and three top 10s with the potential for more under the direction of his new crew chief Charles Denike, who replaced Robert “Bootie” Barker at the end of last year.

Jordan won’t be the only 23XI owner encouraged by Wallace’s performance. Hamlin has seen the gains as well.

“They’re running like the 45 (Tyler Reddick’s team) during the summer,” Hamlin said. “I told you guys that new crew chief (Denike) was going to be game-changer over there. He’s getting the most out of Bubba.

“I want to give Bubba his due, too. It’s not all the crew chief. Bubba has stepped up, been a leader with the team. He’s got a lot of confidence right now, which goes a long, long way.”

Wallace is enjoying the best average qualifying position of his career—10.7. With 20 percent of the season complete, he’s led 98 laps. And on Sunday, Wallace posted a career-best third-place finish for Martinsville, his fourth top 10 at the track since joining 23XI in 2021.

Hamlin doesn’t believe his driver needs to change a thing.

“Just keep doing what he’s doing,” Hamlin said. “He’s taken a big step from one season to the next. Now it’s, like, wins are going to fall right in his lap the way he’s running right now.”

Throughout his eight seasons in Cup, Wallace has learned to balance the highs and the lows. He’s also assumed more of a leadership role with the squad.

“I have to accept (the results) and move on and show up with a fresh mindset,” Wallace said. “That has been the name of the game for us and this group. As many times as we’ve been knocked back, we still kept charging forward. That’s all you can ask for.

“Charles jumping into this — I’m super proud of him to basically pick up where we left off. Bootie left him in good hands.

“I appreciate the 23 group so much, everyone back at AirSpeed (23XI headquarters). The McDonald’s Camry was solid. We’ve just got to keep doing it.”

Follow Lee Spencer on Twitter @CandiceSpencer or email her at [email protected].