SPEEDWAY, Indiana — Bubba Wallace secured a memorable victory at the Brickyard 400, achieving a win that many doubted possible until the very last laps. Throughout the summer of 2025, Wallace, along with Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen and IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin, had been competing for fun in Legends cars as part of the Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Despite a scheduling conflict with an Air Force sponsor event that forced Wallace to withdraw from the event’s final day, the driver made a determined declaration to his close racing associates.
Wallace admitted,
I did say, ‘All right, if I win Sunday, I’ll race Tuesday,’
recalling his initial bold message, which he quickly changed to
When I win Sunday, I will race Tuesday.’
This confident proclamation set the tone for what would unfold at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
A Quiet Start and a Mindset Rooted in Philosophy
On the morning of the race, Wallace embraced a calm seriousness, finding tranquility in the words of Ryan Holiday’s The Daily Stoic, which offers daily wisdom through short philosophical essays. He explained,
I don’t read it every day, I’ll let a week or so go by and then catch up and it just kind of (gets) me in the philosophical mindset (of the day) and trying to understand things from a different perspective.
His recent reflections focused on the ideas that
‘The wise doesn’t have problems,’ and the other one is ‘We’re always caught up in things we have to do instead of the things we get to do,’
emphasizing the mindset shift from obligation to gratitude. He added,
We never look at those things. We’re always like, ‘I gotta do this. I gotta do this. I gotta do this.’ Instead of the opposite of, ‘Well, this didn’t happen, I get to do this instead.’
With this philosophy in mind, Wallace felt a unique calmness as he prepared for the race, a feeling he described as “surreal.” At the drivers’ meeting, he found solitude in a quiet corner, absorbed in his race notes and strategy.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles addressed the drivers with a message that caught Wallace’s attention:
This could be the start of becoming a legend.
An Unusual Pre-Race Experience Amidst Silent Fans
Wallace started the Brickyard 400 in second place with his No. 23 Toyota, joining the traditional pre-race parade lap to salute the fans. Yet the moment was far from ordinary. Wallace reflected on the eerie silence surrounding the event, saying,
Rode around under the parade lap in the truck and I just I didn’t hear any noise, It was very weird, something I’ve never experienced.
Just before the engines roared to life, Wallace’s crew chief Charles Denike energized the team over the radio with words of motivation:
You know why we build trophy cases? To fill it with trophies.
A Mental Tug-of-War During the Final Laps
In the race’s closing stages, Wallace wrestled with conflicting thoughts that reflected both hope and doubt. Although he hadn’t won a points-paying Cup Series race since 2022 at Kansas Speedway and was often on the playoff bubble in the Next Gen era, Wallace found himself leading the prestigious Crown Jewel event by nearly five seconds over Kyle Larson.
He described his mindset as a constant battle:
Here we are in the same spot before the race, same spot: is Bubba Wallace going to make it in on the playoffs?’
The pressure was intense, especially as he faced the risk of running out of fuel. As he put it,
It’s kind of like the angel and devil on your shoulder,
with one whispering doubt:
There was ups and downs of telling myself you’re not gonna be able to do it,
while the other side urged him forward:
At the same time, I was combatting, and I’m like, ‘Fucking right, we can do this,’ But to even have that (negative) thought, it’s like, ‘Man, come on, focus.’
Rain Brings Suspense as the Finish Nears
With just five laps remaining, rain began to soak Turns 1 and 2, prompting a caution that abruptly halted the race. While disappointed at losing his lead, Wallace understood the necessary caution and couldn’t help but recall his first Cup victory, which was also influenced by rain. He reflected,
I will say the first thing that came to my mind is, ‘Here we go again,’ If it rains and it ends, Lord have mercy, Twitter’s going to blow up.’ I said that for a second. But then I was like, ‘Man, I really want to win this straight up. I want to go back racing.’
Though he was bummed about relinquishing his advantage, he hoped for the race to resume. The delay lasted eighteen minutes while the track dried.
Focused Determination During Over Time Pushing Toward Victory
During the pause, a crew member with a thick black beard knelt in the No. 23 pit stall, seemingly praying for favorable conditions. The anticipation mounted as engines reignited, and the cars returned to the track for two intense overtime attempts. Wallace’s mental struggle gave way completely to clear focus as he said,
It was time to really focus and get the job done,
reflecting the gravity of the moment.
The energy in the pit box intensified, with his crew member shouting encouragement:
Take the white, motherfucker!
As Wallace approached the final lap, crew chief Denike requested confirmation over the radio,
Bubba, please confirm (fuel) pump 2,
to which Wallace replied affirmatively.
Once Wallace rounded Turn 4 for the last time, he declared,
knew it was a good Turn 4. I knew (Larson) wasn’t going to get there, so I knew we won.
This marked Wallace’s first points win in over three years, an achievement that left him feeling more relieved than emotional:
quite surprised I wasn’t crying like a little baby. I was I guess more relieved.
Denike celebrated the milestone via radio:
So proud of you brother, Awesome job everybody, way to grow some fuel.…What a day, this is why they build trophy cases. To fill them.
A Respectful Gesture from a Fierce Rival
After the race, Kyle Larson, who finished second and was acknowledged by Wallace as the best in the field, visited Wallace in Victory Lane to congratulate him. Wallace expressed admiration:
I have no problem saying that, I respect the hell out of what he does, how he drives. He pushes us all to be that good.
He described the exchange as game recognizes game, a sign of mutual respect despite past competition.
Fan Support and the Challenge of Polarized Reactions
As Wallace exited his car, the crowd chanted his name loudly around Victory Lane and from the infield grandstands. He acknowledged the divided reactions he has experienced, stating,
You’re going to have people booing, people cheering, I had a guy today call me a punk. I was like, ‘Okay, punks get trophies, I guess.’ It’s sports. Some different than others, but I definitely heard the cheers, and I appreciated that.
Among the supporters was Tracy Morse, a 50-year-old from Harrisburg, Illinois, who followed Wallace’s career closely. Despite undergoing two open heart surgeries, a knee replacement, and needing a walker, Morse made the effort to attend the race and witness the victory celebration firsthand. She shared,
It means the world to me, I would not have missed it.
A Historic Night for Bubba Wallace and NASCAR
Bubba Wallace’s Brickyard 400 win stands as a testament to his resilience amid years of uncertainty and challenges, especially in the highly competitive Next Gen Cup Series era. Coming back from a lengthy win drought, this triumph could define a turning point for both the driver and his team, Trackhouse Racing. It underscored the significance of managing mental challenges alongside physical competition in NASCAR’s toughest races.
The respect shown between Wallace and rivals like Larson may inspire a new era of sportsmanship, while the emotional connection with fans highlights why victories like this resonate beyond the racetrack.
Looking ahead, Wallace’s breakthrough at the Brickyard could boost his momentum entering the playoffs, solidifying his position as a serious contender. As the season progresses, this victory may prove to be a catalyst for further success.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Bubba Wallace’s baby been born?
A. Bubba and Amanda used Instagram to share the news of their newborn with a set of photos from the hospital.
The pair introduced their son, Becks Hayden Wallace, who was born on September 29th.
Q. Has Bubba Wallace ever won a race?
A. His third NASCAR Cup win was his first among the series’ top four events, which also include the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and Southern 500. This victory ended a 100-race drought since his last win in 2022 at Kansas, and it secured him a spot in the playoffs.
Q. Is Bubba Wallace a dad?
A. NASCAR on NBC shared on X that Bubba Wallace welcomed a baby last September and is thoroughly enjoying fatherhood.
Q. Has Bubba Wallace ever won?
A. Wallace achieved his first career win and the team’s first at Talladega Superspeedway during the 2021 fall race, becoming the second Black driver to win in the Cup Series. He secured his second victory at Kansas Speedway in 2022, driving the No. 45 car.