Bubba Wallace encountered significant difficulties during the Cup Series race at Pocono on Sunday when his brakes failed on Lap 56, causing his right-front tire to blow out and forcing him out of contention. After the incident, he was taken to the infield care center but was later released without serious injury. This event marked another frustrating chapter in what has been a challenging season for Wallace and his team.
The 23XI Racing driver had already been at a disadvantage, beginning the race at the back of the field due to a penalty stemming from unapproved adjustments on his car during Saturday’s qualifying session. Throughout the first 50 laps, Wallace struggled to gain ground, remaining in the rear half of the field before the mechanical failure ended his day prematurely.
Ultimately, Wallace finished 36th and recorded his seventh DNF of the 2025 season, a result that left him visibly upset in a post-race interview. He expressed his disappointment candidly, saying,
“I apologize to the racing gods,”
Bubba Wallace said (0:30).
“This weekend sucked aside from practice but that pays nothing. Hate it for my guys, hate it for McDonald’s. We knew it was gonna be a grind, and I was mentally prepared for that all day.”
—Bubba Wallace, NASCAR driver
Similar Struggles for Teammate Riley Herbst
Wallace’s teammate, Riley Herbst, also faced misfortune during the race when his car suffered a tire blowout on Lap 43, resulting in a crash at Turn 1. Like Wallace, Herbst did not finish the race, adding to the team’s overall disappointing day. Both drivers earned just one point each from the event.
After the 17th race of the season, Wallace occupies 12th place in the driver standings with a total of 413 points, while Herbst stands in 35th position with 198 points. These outcomes highlight the ongoing challenges the team is encountering in what has been an intense and competitive season thus far.
Looking Ahead: The Upcoming Quaker State 400
The next race on the calendar for Wallace and Herbst is the Quaker State 400 at Echopark Speedway, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway. Scheduled for June 28, the 260-lap event will be broadcast live on TNT Sports starting at 7 PM ET, with additional updates provided on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The team hopes to improve its performance at this event and move up in the standings after recent setbacks.
New Sponsorship Deal Brings Coca-Cola Onboard
In a positive development earlier this year, 23XI Racing announced a partnership with Coca-Cola as the official sponsor and soft drink partner for Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 team. This alliance makes Coca-Cola Consolidated the full-season associate partner for Wallace, marking a significant sponsorship acquisition for both the driver and the team.
Steve Lauletta, president of 23XI Racing, commented on the collaboration, stating,
“We’re excited to welcome Coca-Cola Consolidated to the 23XI family. For decades, Coca-Cola Consolidated has had a significant impact in the communities they serve, and we look forward to collaborating with them on meaningful programs that give college students a behind-the-scenes look at how our team operates.”
—Steve Lauletta, 23XI Racing President
“We also look forward to creating special moments for 23XI fans to meet Bubba at select races,”
he added. —Steve Lauletta, 23XI Racing President
As part of the sponsorship, Wallace’s Toyota Camry will feature Coca-Cola Consolidated’s branding during select races, and he will participate in various engagement activities at universities across the Carolinas. This partnership aims to strengthen the connection between the racing team and local communities, enhancing fan experiences and educational outreach.