On July 27, 2025, Bubba Wallace claimed a dramatic victory at the Brickyard 400, marking a major milestone for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team within NASCAR’s competitive landscape. This win solidifies 23XI Racing’s standing as one of the few open entry teams to conquer the NASCAR Cup Series since the charter system’s introduction in 2016.
This achievement is especially significant given 23XI Racing’s continued open team status amid their ongoing federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. Even after losing their chartered privileges following a denial of a temporary restraining order by a U.S. District Court judge, the team showcased remarkable resilience and top-tier performance.
Bubba Wallace’s Landmark Victory at Indianapolis
Wallace’s triumph at Indianapolis Motor Speedway ended a tough 100-race drought dating back to September 2022. The 31-year-old driver skillfully handled two overtime restarts and fended off defending champion Kyle Larson by a slim 0.222-second margin in one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events.
In the aftermath, Wallace expressed his elation, stating,
“To win here at the Brickyard, knowing how big this race is, knowing all the noise that’s going on in the background, to set that all aside is a testament to these people here on this 23 team.”
—Bubba Wallace
This milestone marked the first regular-season triumph for an open entry team, distinguishing it from Wallace’s earlier playoff victories at Talladega and Kansas. Despite late-race concerns over fuel levels, Wallace expertly managed his resources while maintaining composure under immense pressure.
Breaking Barriers Among Open Entry Teams in NASCAR’s Charter Era
Since the implementation of the charter system in 2016, only a handful of open teams have secured Cup Series victories, underscoring the difficulty of Wallace’s accomplishment. Kaulig Racing was the first to break through with AJ Allmendinger’s win at the 2021 Indy Road Course, followed by Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen capturing a debut victory in 2023 at the Chicago Street Course.
“With the win today, @23XIRacing became the third ‘Open’ entry team to win a #NASCAR Cup Series race since the adoption of the Charter System. 23XI Racing joins Kaulig Racing (Indy Road Course 2021) and Trackhouse Racing (Chicago Street Course 2023).”
—Toby Christie, NASCAR Analyst
Open teams operate with several disadvantages compared to their chartered rivals, including no guaranteed race entries, approximately 30% less prize money, and constrained budgets that limit development opportunities. These factors typically make sustained success challenging, which adds weight to the rarity of such victories.
The Larger Impact of Wallace’s Brickyard 400 Win
Bubba Wallace’s breakthrough victory emphasizes the growing competitiveness of 23XI Racing and validates Michael Jordan’s vision for the team’s potential in NASCAR’s evolving hierarchy. It illustrates how determination and strategic excellence can overcome structural hurdles within professional motorsports.
As the racing season progresses, the focus will remain on whether 23XI Racing can leverage this momentum to achieve further notable successes and challenge the dominance traditionally held by chartered teams. The team’s continued pursuit amid legal and operational challenges highlights a new chapter in NASCAR’s competitive narrative.