What Happened to William Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr.?
Bubba Wallace is an American professional stock car racing driver who competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for 23XI Racing. He is a prominent figure in NASCAR, known for his on-track achievements, including three Cup Series wins, and his significant role as an advocate for racial equality within the sport. As of mid-2026, Wallace continues to compete for 23XI Racing, demonstrating consistent performance in the Cup Series.
Quick Answer
Bubba Wallace continues his career as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver for 23XI Racing, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan. After a landmark 2025 season that saw him win the Brickyard 400, his first crown-jewel event, Wallace is currently competing in the 2026 season. As of July 30, 2026, he holds 13th place in the Cup Series standings with three top-five and ten top-ten finishes, and is expected to remain with 23XI Racing for the 2027 season.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Xfinity Series Debut
Bubba Wallace makes his NASCAR national series debut in the Xfinity Series at Iowa Speedway, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing and finishing 9th.
First Truck Series Win
Wallace wins the Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, becoming the first African-American driver to win in a national NASCAR series since Wendell Scott in 1963.
Cup Series Debut
He makes his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Pocono Raceway, driving the No. 43 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports.
Daytona 500 Runner-Up
Wallace finishes second in the Daytona 500, marking his best career Cup Series finish at the time and the highest for an African-American driver in the event.
NASCAR Bans Confederate Flag
Following Wallace's advocacy, NASCAR announces a ban on the Confederate flag at all its events and properties, a significant step for racial inclusivity in the sport.
Noose Incident Investigation Concludes
The FBI concludes its investigation into a noose found in Wallace's garage stall at Talladega, determining it was not a hate crime but a pull rope present since the previous fall.
Joins 23XI Racing
Wallace begins racing for the newly formed 23XI Racing team, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, driving the No. 23 Toyota.
First Cup Series Win
Wallace earns his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway (YellaWood 500), becoming the first African-American driver to win a Cup Series race since Wendell Scott in 1963.
Second Cup Series Win
He secures his second Cup Series victory at Kansas Speedway, driving the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing.
First Playoff Appearance
Wallace qualifies for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for the first time in his career, ultimately finishing 10th in the overall standings.
Signs Multi-Year Extension with 23XI
23XI Racing announces that Bubba Wallace has signed a multi-year contract extension, securing his position with the team through at least the 2026 season.
Wins Brickyard 400
Wallace captures his third Cup Series win and first crown-jewel victory at the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, becoming the first Black driver to win a major race on the IMS oval.
Season-Best Finish at Michigan
Wallace achieves his best finish of the 2026 season to date, coming home third at the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
Penalty at Atlanta Summer Race
Wallace receives a penalty at the Atlanta Summer race for passing below the yellow line while running second on the final lap, resulting in a 29th-place finish.
Current Status and Contract Outlook
As of today, Wallace is 13th in the 2026 Cup Series standings with three top-fives and ten top-tens. Despite some earlier reports of a potential contract expiration, both 23XI Racing and Wallace's camp indicate he is set to race for the team in 2027.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
William Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. emerged onto the national stock car racing scene in 2012, making his Xfinity Series debut for Joe Gibbs Racing. He quickly showcased his talent, securing his first NASCAR national series win in the Craftsman Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway in 2013, becoming the first African-American driver to do so since Wendell Scott in 1963. After a stint in the Xfinity Series, Wallace made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2017, eventually securing a full-time ride with Richard Petty Motorsports in 2018, where he achieved a notable second-place finish in the Daytona 500.
A pivotal moment in Wallace's career and for NASCAR came in 2020. Amidst a national reckoning on racial injustice, Wallace became a vocal advocate for equality, notably wearing an "I Can't Breathe" shirt at Atlanta Speedway and successfully urging NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag from its events. This period was also marked by the discovery of a noose in his garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway, which, following an FBI investigation, was determined not to be a hate crime but rather a rope that had been there since the previous fall. Despite the controversy, Wallace's stance solidified his role as a leader and agent of change within the sport.
In 2021, Wallace joined the newly formed 23XI Racing team, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin. This move marked a new chapter, culminating in his first career Cup Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway in October 2021, making him the first African-American to win a Cup Series race since Wendell Scott in 1963. He followed this with a second Cup Series win at Kansas Speedway in 2022. The 2023 season saw Wallace make his first appearance in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, finishing 10th in the overall standings with five top-five and ten top-ten finishes, despite going winless.
The 2024 season presented challenges, with Wallace finishing 18th in points without a win, though he achieved career-high marks in top-five finishes (six) and average finish (15.3). A significant turning point came in 2025 when Wallace secured his third career Cup Series win and his first crown-jewel victory at the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, 2025. This historic win, where he held off Kyle Larson in double overtime, also marked him as the first Black driver to win a major race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. He made the playoffs for the second time in 2025, finishing 11th in the standings with a career-high 378 laps led.
As of July 30, 2026, Bubba Wallace is in his ninth full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing. He started the 2026 season with strong finishes, including a 10th at the Daytona 500 and an 8th at Atlanta I. He achieved a season-best third-place finish at Michigan in June 2026 and a second-place finish at Coronado. Despite a penalty at the Atlanta Summer race for passing below the yellow line, he currently sits 13th in the Cup Series standings with three top-five and ten top-ten finishes, though he is yet to secure a win in 2026. His contract with 23XI Racing, extended in September 2024, is expected to see him continue with the team for the 2027 season.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if William Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. made different choices?