Wallace feeling stronger outside of his comfort zone
03/30/2025 12:48 PM
There are an endless number of resources one can dig into that offer theories about how to achieve success. One of the more popular ones within the sports world is the idea of making oneself comfortable with being uncomfortable, and Bubba Wallace seems to be embracing that mindset.
Wallace is putting together the best start to a NASCAR Cup Series season he's ever had. The No. 23 McDonald's team from 23XI Racing is seventh in the championship standings and has led 98 laps through six races.
It is happening under the guidance of new crew chief Charles Denike. Denike is in an entirely new environment at the Cup Series level after spending the last five seasons in the Craftsman Truck Series.
Wallace admitted earlier this week that initially, his thinking was about comfort when the change at crew chief was made. He wanted someone he would be comfortable with. But then, through a conversation with his wife, Amanda, Wallace acknowledged that "the people I've been comfortable with, we've just been OK. Bootie brought me to the next level, and I felt like I took a step, and we plateaued."
So Wallace decided to step back from the process and let the organization decide who would be the next one to call the shots for his team. Denike stood out to everyone and got the job.
"I don't know," Wallace said when asked how Denike makes him uncomfortable. "I don't really have any complaints about him, which I think is a good thing. I think it was just more from a mental side of things. At the end of the day, we all have jobs, we all need to be human beings and be good to each other. So, I think some of these environments — I'm not speaking from any experience or anything — but you could have somebody who just wants to work on race cars and have no personal relationship out of that, and I don't really strive on that.
"So, he and I are continuing to grow together, and it's been a lot of fun. Only six races in. I don't think either of us is happy about the result (in qualifying), but all in all, it's OK."
Wallace and Denike qualified 12th for the Cook Out 400 after being fastest in practice.
Denike is the third crew chief Wallace has worked with at 23XI Racing. Mike Wheeler started things off in 2021 when the team was formed before Barker took over with eight races left that season and through the 2024 season. Barker guided Wallace to two Cup Series.
It goes without saying, although Wallace and company have, that the team needs to get back to winning. He has the series' third-most stage points (61) and has led laps in four of the six races entering Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, including 56 laps last weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The team didn't leave with a victory, but Wallace feels he’s continuing to improve his mentality behind the wheel, channeling team co-owner and NBA champion Michael Jordan to keep himself focused.
"It just kind of came out of the blue, really," Wallace said of doing that. "It was just keep after it — the winning mentality. While we didn't get the win, I didn't lay over and give up, and we fought hard until the very end. I think that's ultimately what he wants us to do. So, (we'll) just keep on doing that and keep on keeping on."
