Bubba Wallace: From Drive for Diversity to Success with 23XI Racing

Brief overview of Bubba Wallace’s career in motorsport

William Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. is an American NASCAR driver who currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for 23XI Racing, driving the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE. He first gained national attention in 2013 when he won a NASCAR Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway, becoming the first Black driver to win a NASCAR national series race since 1963. 

Wallace later moved up through the ranks and began his Cup Series career with Richard Petty Motorsports. In 2021, he joined 23XI Racing for the team’s first season in the Cup Series. Alongside his racing career, Wallace has also been a prominent voice for diversity and inclusion in motorsports.

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Bubba Wallace’s age, family and early life

Bubba Wallace was born on October 8, 1993, in Mobile, Alabama, United States. His father, Darrell Wallace Sr., is a business owner, while his mother, Desiree Wallace, is a social worker and former collegiate track athlete. Shortly after he was born, his sister Brittany gave him the nickname “Bubba,” and it stuck throughout his career. Wallace began racing at the age of nine, first competing in Bandolero and Legends cars before advancing to local late model races.

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How did Bubba Wallace get to NASCAR?

Bubba Wallace’s rise to NASCAR began in 2010 through the Drive for Diversity program. He competed in the K&N Pro Series East with Rev Racing and won at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in his rookie season. He also earned Rookie of the Year, becoming the youngest driver to win the award and the first African American to do so in series history.

After that, Wallace joined Joe Gibbs Racing as a development driver. He moved into the Xfinity Series before stepping into the Truck Series full-time in 2013 with Kyle Busch Motorsports, where he secured a major breakthrough win.

Wallace made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2017. In 2018, he became a full-time Cup driver. Then in 2021, he joined 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, where he continues racing today.

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Notable moments and races in Bubba Wallace’s career

One of Bubba Wallace’s biggest early moments came in October 2013, when he won the Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway. It was his first national-series victory and a historic win in NASCAR’s modern era.

In the Cup Series, he gained major attention in 2018 when he finished second at the Daytona 500 in his first full season. In 2021, he earned his first Cup win at Talladega Superspeedway in the YellaWood 500, becoming the first Black driver to win a Cup race since Wendell Scott in 1963.

Another major milestone came on July 27, 2025, when Wallace won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The victory made him the first Black driver to win a NASCAR crown jewel race, and he did it after surviving rain delays, multiple overtimes, and intense late-race pressure.

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Bubba Wallace height: How tall is Bubba Wallace?

Bubba Wallace is 5 feet 6 inches tall.

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What is Bubba Wallace’s net worth?

As of early 2026, Bubba Wallace’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million. His salary at 23XI Racing is reportedly about $2.2 million per year, with additional income coming from sponsorships, endorsements, and brand deals.

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Bubba Wallace’s relationship status: Who is Bubba Wallace’s wife?

Bubba Wallace is married to Amanda Wallace (née Amanda Carter), his longtime partner from high school. In September 2024, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Becks Hayden Wallace.

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