For years, Bubba Wallace struggled with the emotional toll of being a NASCAR Cup Series driver. He wore his emotions on his sleeve, often reacting with frustration when things didn’t go his way. But something changed in 2025. After a disappointing 29th-place finish in the Daytona 500, Wallace surprised his wife, Amanda, with an unexpected reaction. Instead of sulking, he walked into his pit road trailer with a smile.
“She’s just looking at me. I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m good. We lost… Chill, We’re good… New year, new me,’” Wallace recalled. These words surprised his wife, as Wallace never said this even after winning a race. The same driver who had once openly questioned his career path after watching Ryan Blaney win the 2023 Cup Series championship was now embracing setbacks with a level-headed approach. However, days after the Daytona setback, Wallace had revealed how a short two-line conversation with a fellow driver changed his perspective.
Wallace recalls his old friend’s help!
Bubba Wallace’s journey to mental peace wasn’t immediate. It took months of reflection, but a single moment with Daniel Hemric was the catalyst. Wallace recently took on X to reveal how Hemric changed his life. Quoting his interview with Matt Weaver, Wallace tagged Hemric and asked, “Never been that deep, right?” The phrase might be simple for many, but for Wallace, it was life-changing.
While speaking with Weaver, Wallace recalled his July 2024 conversation with the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver. “He said, ‘Hey man, (are) you good?’ and I said, ‘Yeah’ and he said, ‘Good man, it’s never been that deep,’ and he walked away. I was like, ‘oof, that hit home,’” Wallace recalled. Notably, for years, Wallace believed that success in NASCAR required a complete, unwavering focus on racing. If he wasn’t winning, he wasn’t happy.
However, Hemric’s simple advice made him reconsider. Instead of letting bad races consume him, Wallace started embracing a healthier outlook. He began to step back, reflect, and accept that not everything was in his control. While Hemric’s words planted the seed, fatherhood nurtured Wallace’s newfound mindset. Becoming a dad changed everything. His priorities shifted. Racing was still important, but it was no longer the only thing that defined him.
Never been that deep, right @DanielHemric? https://t.co/yKdnzIOsjI
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) February 26, 2025
“I’ve also enjoyed being a new dad and enjoying life. That’s always going to be there. It’s counterintuitive (to everything he has ever done), and I’m enjoying it while it lasts, but I’ve always placed racing over everything and didn’t place anything in front of racing. Right now, we’re in a hectic time because we’re packing up and getting ready to move. I’m in meetings from Monday to Wednesday, so you really have to find the time to set aside work and be a dad,” Wallace revealed.
Notably, Bubba Wallace’s approach was tested immediately in 2025. He finished 29th in the Daytona 500, a race he had come agonizingly close to winning twice before. But instead of letting the disappointment fester, he celebrated his earlier Duel win at Daytona with pure joy. He sprayed Coke on his No. 23 crew and lifted his son, Becks Hayden, into the air like Simba from The Lion King. Now, as he continues his NASCAR journey, he has a new mindset that racing is important, but it’s not everything. However, ahead of the third race of the season, Bubba Wallace also gave some pieces of advice to young drivers joining the 23XI racing team.
Bubba Wallace’s advice for young drivers!
With nearly a decade of Cup Series experience, Bubba Wallace is now a veteran in the NASCAR garage. His journey has been filled with ups and downs, making him uniquely qualified to offer advice to the sport’s rising stars. Recently, he shared words of wisdom for rookies like Corey Heim and Riley Herbst, who joined 23XI Racing for the 2025 season. Speaking about the challenges Rookie drivers face, he said, “It is what it is. It doesn’t matter when you’re a rookie, you’re a rookie. That’s how everybody sees it.”
Wallace knows the feeling all too well. When he entered the Cup Series, he had his struggles. He wanted to prove himself, but he also felt like his voice wasn’t fully heard. “I’m not saying that they didn’t listen to me and just blew my comments off, but it is different when you’re a rookie,” he further added. The 23XI Racing driver hopes that upcoming youngsters learn from their mistakes and build their path to success.
For Heim, joining 23XI Racing is a dream come true. The 22-year-old has already proven himself in the Truck Series and is eager to compete at NASCAR’s highest level. “It’s a dream come true to be a part of 23XI. I’m excited about the opportunity to race more Cup and Xfinity races,” he said. With Wallace at the helm, Heim will surely have a mentor to look up to. He will drive the No.67 car for 23XI Racing this year at select tracks and will be part of the team’s developmental program.
The post Bubba Wallace Shoots 5-Words of Gratitude to Former Cup Star Amid Newfound Mental Peace appeared first on EssentiallySports.