Bubba Wallace, driver for 23XI Racing, recently shared details of a unique qualifying agreement he has with fellow racers Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin. The pact, discussed during Wallace’s vlog at Charlotte Motor Speedway Cook Out Summer Shootout, involves the slowest driver in qualifying rounds buying lunch for the group, adding an unexpected camaraderie amid intense competition.
Wallace, who drives the #23 Toyota Camry XSE, began his NASCAR Cup Series career in 2017 with Richard Petty Racing, initially competing in four races with three top-20 finishes. After securing a full-time ride with the team and racing for three years, he transitioned to 23XI Racing in 2021. Over his career, Wallace has recorded two wins, 25 top-five finishes, and 52 top-ten placements with three pole positions across 273 starts.
Details of the Lighthearted Qualifying Bet Among Teammates
In his latest vlog, Wallace explained how the pact originated among himself, Shane van Gisbergen, and Scott McLaughlin. The rule, made during the third week of competition, states that whoever posts the slowest qualifying time must treat the others to lunch. Wallace recalled the moment when this was set:
“Scotty and SVG came up with this rule on week three. I had a terrible qualifying run. And I get back in and they’re like cheering like, ‘Yeah, free lunch. Where are we going?’ I’m like, ‘What?’ So now that’s been the thing for the last 3 weeks. So whoever’s the slowest in qualifying has to pay for everybody’s lunch.” — Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing driver
Since the pact began, van Gisbergen, hailing from New Zealand, has held the unenviable lead with two slowest qualifying rounds, while McLaughlin, originally from Mobile, Alabama, has recorded one. Wallace’s own position in this ongoing challenge adds a lighter, more personal dimension to the otherwise competitive atmosphere.
Wallace Opens Up About Pressure From Teammate Tyler Reddick’s Success
Earlier in the 2025 season, Wallace discussed feelings of pressure caused by the performance of his 23XI Racing teammate Tyler Reddick. During an episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Wallace candidly addressed how Reddick’s success has affected his mindset and motivation.
“Seeing the success of the 45, not from a jealousy standpoint, but it’s like ‘I have the same stuff,’ and I feel like I’m just as competitive as Tyler. I put all that weight on me, that pressure on me. So, I’m back in the gym, and nobody’s telling me, ‘Hey, you need to work out to run better; you need to be in more meetings to understand better.’ I took that upon myself as, like, ‘I’m doing just enough to get by, and that’s not okay.” — Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Currently, Wallace holds 428 points and is 13th in the Cup Series standings. Reddick, meanwhile, sits sixth with 533 points. Wallace’s 2025 season has included six top-ten and three top-five finishes, but also six Did Not Finish (DNF) results from 18 races. Conversely, Reddick has achieved six top-ten results, four top-five finishes, one pole position, and has completed every race this season, underscoring the contrast that Wallace has felt keenly.
Implications of Wallace’s Competitive Drive and Team Dynamics
The qualifying pact shared by Wallace and his racing colleagues reveals a human side to high-stakes motorsports, using humor and informal agreements to maintain morale. Meanwhile, Wallace’s reflective comments on his own pressures and self-motivation illustrate the deep personal challenges drivers face in a demanding competitive environment. As Wallace continues to strive for stronger finishes and fewer DNFs this season, his candidness about internal pressures and efforts to improve could signal a renewed focus going forward.
Both Wallace and Reddick’s performances remain critical to 23XI Racing’s success in the 2025 Cup Series, with ongoing rivalries and collaborations shaping the team’s trajectory for the remainder of the season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Bubba Wallace ever win a race?
A. On October 26, 2013, Wallace made history by becoming the first Black driver since 1963 to win in a NASCAR national series. He achieved this milestone at the Martinsville Speedway during the Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200.
Q. Has Bubba Wallace ever won?
A. Wallace achieved his first Cup victory at Talladega on October 4, 2021. The race was cut short because of rain.