NASCAR Insider issues clarification about Bubba Wallace’s 2026 seat if 23XI Racing loses charters
NASCAR Insider Bob Pockrass offered clarification on Bubba Wallace's future with 23XI Racing, following the latest court verdict on the injunction, which could force 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to race as Open teams. Pockrass had earlier shared his belief that if 23XI and FRM were to lose their charters, drivers could abandon ship to race for a chartered team.
23XI Racing and FRM were initially allowed to compete as chartered teams for 2025, but NASCAR appealed the decision. On June 5, a three-judge panel vacated the injunction, potentially forcing the teams to field cars as Open entries. 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin said the team was exploring all options, which include the possibility of a rehearing.
Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass appeared on Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour podcast and elaborated on the latest developments in the lawsuit. He clarified that right now, Bubba Wallace is expected to drive for 23XI Racing in 2026; however, drivers could still leave 23XI and FRM if the teams lose their charters to NASCAR.
Wallace signed a multi-year extension in September 2024, after 23XI Racing filed the lawsuit. Pockrass believes that the 31-year-old will most likely continue with the team next season.
"I messed up/misspoke on this episode as far as Bubba – he is set for next season (if they are non-chartered, drivers possibly could get out of their deals but wouldn’t think he would)," he clarified on X.
Bob Pockrass had suggested that the legal dispute would be weighing on the minds of both drivers and employees at 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. He said on the podcast:
"I think it's certainly in the back of their minds. As many times as you can tell your employees that, 'Hey, you're gonna be taken care of', if they know that your revenues are going to be less than what you'd expect them to be, it's going to make them wonder... It just adds an unnecessary distraction; it certainly can impact a driver, an organization as a whole." [35:50 onwards]
Bubba Wallace has driven for Michael Jordan's team since its inception in 2021, securing the organization's first race win at Talladega in the same year.
Bubba Wallace reflects on good-day's work at Michigan
Bubba Wallace secured his third top-five result of the season at Michigan International Speedway. After a tough stretch of three consecutive DNFs, he has bounced back with a sixth-place result in Nashville and a fourth-place finish at Michigan.
Wallace capped off a "good day" at Michigan, where the #23 Toyota team executed the right strategy in a fuel-mileage race. With the all-clear from his crew chief, Charles Denike, the 31-year-old said he was able to push in the final stint.
"I was doing a little bit of technique stuff on that run to pick up some fuel. When it was time to go, it was time to go. When you weren’t really gaining anything, you have to be smart on what the situation is, and I feel like we’re getting there. All-in-all, a good day," he told NBC Sports.
After 15 rounds, Bubba Wallace occupies 10th place in the regular season standings, while his teammate Tyler Reddick is in sixth place. The two drivers are yet to make a trip to the victory lane this season, although Wallace has won a Duel race.