Bubba Wallace's racing journey took an unexpected turn when 23XI Racing announced a significant restructure ahead of the 2025 season. This decision led to the departure of his long-time crew chief, Bootie Barker, and the introduction of Charles Denike as his new crew chief. The move has sparked much discussion and curiosity within the NASCAR community.

Bootie Barker's Perspective

In a press release from the team at the time of the announcement, Barker expressed his gratitude towards 23XI Racing. He said, "23XI has been good to me, and I hope I have been as good for 23XI. Loyalty is important to me and I will continue to do all I can to help everyone here succeed in my new role. I was fortunate to be a part of the 23XI’s inception, and I look forward to being a part of the team’s continued journey." Barker had been Wallace's crew chief since 2021 and the pair had achieved two wins together before the challenging 2024 season.However, during an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Barker revealed his surprise at the decision to move him from the role. He explained, "I won't lie it was a surprise. It was a surprise. As a crew chief, rarely does one get to set their own timetable or decide how they're going to go out. It just doesn't work that way. It's just how it is."

The 2024 Season Struggles

The 2024 season was a difficult one for Bubba Wallace. Despite his teammate Tyler Reddick clinching the regular season win and advancing to the final Championship 4 in Phoenix, Wallace failed to make it to the playoffs. He finished the season in eighteenth position with 878 points, while Reddick finished in fourth with 5031 points. The pair's poor performance in 2024 is widely considered to be the reason for the reshuffle within the team, which is co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin.

Charles Denike's Excitement

Denike, who will be partnering with Wallace in 2025, expressed his excitement about the new role. In the same press release, he said, "I am excited for the 2025 season with the No. 23 team and to work with Bubba and all of 23XI Racing beginning in the offseason. Bubba is a proven winner, and I believe we will bring out the best in each other. Thank you to Michael, Denny, and Dave for the opportunity to join the 23XI family. They have built an incredible culture at Airspeed. I am a believer that winning is a process… I am looking forward to this next chapter and to be able to contribute to 23XI’s growth and journey to winning championships."