Last year at Daytona, Bubba Wallace faced heartbreak. A strong run ended in disappointment as he finished fifth in the Great American Race. After seven consecutive failures, Wallace was disheartened. But amid the frustration, he received a simple yet powerful text from his team owner, Michael Jordan. “Things you want more cost more.”
Jordan’s words stayed with Wallace. They reminded him that success requires sacrifice. The 23XI Racing driver understood that success demands more effort, undying resilience, and consistent belief. Fast forward to 2025, Wallace looked like a man possessed with the will to win. In the thrilling Duel 1 to set the grid for the Daytona 500, Wallace dominated the pack and won his first event at the iconic venue. As the celebration unfolded, Jordan’s reaction went viral on social media.
Bubba and the Boss are in good spirits
Bubba Wallace entered the 2025 season with a point to prove. After back-to-back seasons without a win, Wallace was determined to put on a show the first chance he got. In the first Duel at Daytona, the 23XI Racing driver started in 15th but quickly moved through the field. With his teammate Tyler Reddick’s help, Wallace took control, leading a race-high 21 laps and holding off a late challenge to capture his first-ever Duel victory.
The win secured Wallace a third-place starting spot for the Daytona 500. This is his highest starting position ever for the sport’s biggest race. But more than just a strong starting position, the victory marked a personal milestone. It was his first trip to Victory Lane since his Kansas win in 2022. As the celebrations kicked off, Wallace shared a video on Instagram capturing his boss’s reaction.
In the video, Wallace can be seen giving his Duel trophy to his boss, NBA legend Michael Jordan. The 23XI co-owner couldn’t hide his emotions as he praised the Alabama native. “Good Job Kid, that’s a good start,” Jordan quipped with joy. For a driver who has battled doubt, criticism, and immense pressure, hearing those words from a six-time NBA champion meant everything. Wallace’s caption reflected his emotions, “Brought the Big Boss back some hardware.”
Notably, Wallace’s Duel win wasn’t just a lucky break. He outperformed some of NASCAR’s best and showcased the strength of his No. 23 Toyota. When the race reached its closing laps, he kept his composure. A late-race incident involving Ty Dillon and AJ Allmendinger nearly changed the outcome, but Wallace held steady.
It’s worth noting that Wallace has often come close to victory lane in Daytona. In his 15 career starts in Daytona, he has three runner-ups (two in Daytona 500) and five Top 5 finishes. In the last three seasons, he has finished in the top 5 twice. With this year’s strong second-row start, Wallace would be keen to see the victory lane. After winning the Duel Wallace expressed his confidence in the team. “I got a team that believes in me, and I have just as much faith in this team,” he told media.
Notably, the Duel win is more than just a strong start for 23XI Racing. It came at a crucial time when the team was fighting a tough battle. The team, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, is currently embroiled in a legal battle with NASCAR over the new charter agreement. The lawsuit revolves around team ownership rights and revenue-sharing, making Wallace’s win a symbolic moment. With Wallace and Reddick both showing strong pace, the team has its eyes on bigger prizes. However, the Daytona 500 could reminisce Wallace’s five-year-old pain.
Bubba Wallace stays unbothered by Donald Trump!
As Bubba Wallace and NASCAR prepare for the 67th run of the Daytona 500, a rumor has troubled the 23XI driver. Ahead of Sunday’s race, media reports suggest that US President Donald Trump could attend the event. While fans are excited about it, Wallace has a different feeling. When asked for his thoughts, Wallace made it clear he wasn’t interested.
“Couldn’t care less. Investing my time into that seems like a waste of time. We’re here to race, not for the show,” Wallace told reporters. Notably, Wallace has been a part of a huge controversy with Trump. In 2020, NASCAR supported Bubba Wallace after someone found a noose in his garage stall at Talladega. Federal investigators later determined that the rope had been there for months and wasn’t a targeted hate crime.
While NASCAR continued to stand behind Wallace, Trump asked him to apologize for making a hoax story. “Has @BubbaWallace apologized to all of those great NASCAR drivers & officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, & were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX?,” he wrote in July 2020. Wallace responded by condemning the president’s comments, stating, “Always deal with the hate being thrown at you with love.”
Now, five years later, Trump is likely to attend the Daytona 500 in his second term as president. This could re-ignite the differences between the President and NASCAR star. However, Wallace’s comments reflect that he is more focused on winning. What do you think? Can Bubba Wallace win his maiden Daytona 500 in 2025?
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