Bubba Wallace’s journey in NASCAR has always been about perseverance. His mother once told him, “If you want things to change, you need to change yourself.” Those words seemed simple at the time, but over the years, they took on a deeper meaning. In his early career, Wallace often let bad races define his mood. He would dwell on mistakes, replaying them over and over in his head. If things didn’t go his way, frustration followed. Is it still the same?
Now, in 2025, Wallace is a different person. He has learned to accept the highs and lows of racing with a new perspective. He is still competitive and passionate, but something has shifted. The reason? His wife, Amanda, and their one-year-old son, Becks Hayden. Wallace now understands that his life isn’t just about what happens on the track. His family gives him a reason to smile, even on the toughest days. And now, Wallace shared a heartwarming message for his family that proves just how much he has changed.
Wallace decodes a new way of life!
This shift in Bubba Wallace’s mindset was evident after the recent Phoenix Raceway event. Despite starting in P19 and fighting his way up, an unexpected brake rotor failure sent his No. 23 Toyota Camry into the wall. He finished a disappointing P29. However, instead of reacting with anger or frustration, Wallace accepted the outcome with a calmness that even surprised his wife, Amanda.
On the recent episode of The Trey Wallace Podcast, he revealed how his son and wife have changed his perspective on life. “I was trying everything I could on the racetrack, and, uh, it just wasn’t meant to be. So, I think I was able to understand that fairly quickly, like, okay, just accept it right there. You’re not going to change the outcome,” he admitted. This comment comes from a driver who was sobbing after his best friend, Ryan Blaney, won the 2023 Cup championship.
This surely reveals how the arrival of a new guest has changed his life. Notably, Amanda, who witnessed his worst days, also found his reaction shocking. She texted him after the race expecting frustration, but instead, Wallace was eager to get home. “I was excited to get home. Every day that I’m gone, multiple times throughout the day, I’m pulling up our baby monitor.….. Amanda’s just been crushing it at home….It’s nice to be able to take a step back and know, like, hey, if it all ended today, it’s okay. I have a beautiful family, and we’ll be fine,” Wallace admitted.
Bubba Wallace and Amanda Carter | (BUBBA WALLACE/FACEBOOK)
This newfound outlook has been on full display throughout the 2025 season. In previous years, Wallace often struggled to keep his emotions in check. Even after finishing 10th in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series standings, a career-best, he was visibly frustrated. But now, the same driver who once let bad races consume him is embracing the bigger picture. After a tough start to the 2025 season, including a 29th-place finish at Daytona and Phoenix, Wallace could have let the negativity build. Instead, he chose to celebrate small victories like duel wins and qualifying performances.
This reflects his fully changed approach, which he calls, “new year, new me.” However, his new attitude doesn’t mean the challenges have disappeared. The 2025 season has been a grind. After four races, he has only one top-10 finish. He wrecked at both Daytona and Phoenix, and the pressure to perform is mounting. But through it all, Wallace remains grounded. His results on the track matter, but they no longer define his happiness.
However, his family isn’t the only one who has supported him.
The support system behind Bubba Wallace!
Through his highs and lows apart from his family, Wallace’s friends like Ryan Blaney, 23XI owners Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan have been his biggest support. After the 2025 Daytona duel win, Wallace was seen jumping in joy with Jordan as they celebrated his victory. But Jordan isn’t the only Basketball veteran who has rallied behind Wallace.
As Bubba Wallace navigates the ups and downs of his career, he isn’t doing it alone. His support extends beyond the racetrack, and basketball has played a surprising role in his journey. Growing up, Wallace wasn’t a big Tennessee Volunteers fan, despite his mother’s deep connection to the program. It wasn’t until the 2010s that the team started growing on him. Then, in 2020, something unexpected happened.
Wallace was struggling mentally during a tough race at Kansas Speedway when he got a call from an unknown number. On the other end of the line was Rick Barnes. The legendary coach told Wallace that he had been following his career for years and was a huge fan. For Wallace, that moment meant everything. “Ever since then, we talked a handful of times throughout the year. It’s always fun seeing him in his element and vice-versa. He loves turning on the races when he has time. I think it’s super cool to have a person like him in your corner, and he’s a big fan of the sport,” Wallace said.
The connection has given him another source of motivation outside of NASCAR. Since then, Bubba Wallace has attended multiple Tennessee basketball games and formed a strong bond with Barnes. The coach’s encouragement has been another key piece in Wallace’s journey of personal growth. Notably, Wallace has come a long way. He still wants to win races. He still wants to make the playoffs. But now, he understands that success isn’t just measured by what happens on the track. However, his latest focus shifts to getting glory to 23XI Garage soon.
The post ‘Wholesome’ Bubba Wallace Voices Heartwarming Message for Wife Amanda and 1 YO Amidst Newfound Humbleness appeared first on EssentiallySports.