It’s the end of an era. At least that’s what many Bubba Wallace fans will feel. The 23XI Racing driver will be getting a new crew chief, with Charles Denike replacing Bootie Barker for the 2025 Cup Series campaign. Barker has been atop the pit box for the No. 23 team since 2021, helping the Alabama native secure his first Cup Series win as well as his only playoff berth in 2023. However, the change marks a new beginning for the 31-year-old racing driver, who will aim to reach the heights of his teammate Tyler Reddick next year.

From Wood Brothers to 23XI Racing: Who is Crew Chief Charles Denike?

Charles Denike has plenty of experience in the world of NASCAR, having previously worked as a team manager, race engineer, and crew chief for several teams. His journey began with Wood Brothers Racing, where he worked on car setups and race strategies. He also had a stint with Precision Performance Motorsports as team manager, overseeing their operations for teams in the K&N Pro Series East and Xfinity Series. He got his first crew chief experience during this role before moving on to GMS Racing in 2016.

In his three years at GMS Racing, Denike worked as a race engineer for their Truck and Xfinity Series programs before transitioning to a full-time crew chief by 2020. In three seasons, Charles Denike was atop the pit box for three different Truck Series teams, earning two wins in the process. He earned a move to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in 2022, becoming crew chief of the No. 19 truck, and helped his team secure their first win and playoff berth. The 42-year-old will be in charge of a Cup Series team for the first time when he takes over from Bootie Barker in 2025.

Why did 23XI Racing replace Bubba Wallace’s former crew chief with Charles Denike?

Bubba Wallace experienced a breakthrough season in 2023, where he progressed to the playoffs for the first time in his career. Even though the Alabama native didn’t win a single race, consistent results in the Cup Series ensured the No. 23 Toyota Camry driver had accumulated enough points to make it to the postseason. It was the best finish in Wallace’s career, as the 23XI Racing driver finished the year 10th in the driver standings, a significant improvement from the year prior, where he finished nine places lower.

In comparison, the 2024 season didn’t live up to expectations. While Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin were hoping that Wallace would be able to build on his 2023 performance, the racing driver struggled with consistency. Six top-five finishes weren’t enough to secure a playoff spot, despite Wallace competing in the same equipment as teammate Tyler Reddick, who made it to Championship 4. The 31-year-old’s underperformance prompted the 23XI hierarchy to replace Bubba Wallace’s former crew chief Bootie Barker with Charles Denike, with the hope that results improve in 2025 and beyond.

However, it is worth mentioning that Bubba Wallace outscored his teammate Tyler Reddick in the playoffs, despite the latter making it to the final 4. Wallace secured 259 points while Tyler Reddick got 247 and Wallace secured four top-10 finishes in the playoffs while Reddick managed just the three. However, his win at Homestead was enough to propel him to the Championship 4. This makes sense as to why Barker is still involved with the organization despite missing the playoffs.

What happened to Bubba Wallace’s former Crew Chief Bootie Barker

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Even though Bootie Barker was replaced by Charles Denike, the 53-year-old isn’t stepping away from 23XI Racing anytime soon. He will take on a behind-the-scenes competition role for the 2025 campaign, with the hope that his expertise and experience continue to pay off in a different capacity. Sharing his thoughts about his new role, Barker said, “23XI has been good to me, and I hope I have been as good for 23XI. Loyalty is important to me and I will continue to do all I can in my new role to help everyone here succeed. I was fortunate to be a part of 23XI’s inception, and I look forward to being a part of the team’s continued journey.”

Will the 2025 Cup Series be a turnaround season for Bubba Wallace and his new crew chief?

The expectations will be high from Bubba Wallace and Charles Denike for the 2025 season. Going by Denike’s track record, his time as crew chief for Christian Eckes at McAnally-Hilgemann Racing has been quite fruitful. He has helped the No. 19 Chevy driver secure seven victories over the last two years, as well as the 2024 regular season points title. The 24-year-old fell short of lifting the Truck Series title at Phoenix Raceway, finishing third in the race and the drivers standing at the end of the season.

Going by Eckes’ results under Denike’s leadership, the 23XI Racing hierarchy will hope that Bubba Wallace also rediscovers his form in the Cup Series. Even though Tyler Reddick outperformed his teammate in 2024, Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin will hope that the gulf is reduced or overturned next year. Wallace certainly has the potential to compete against NASCAR’s best, perhaps Denike’s fresh approach might help him become more consistent on the racetrack.

Highlighting his expectations for next year, Charles Denike said, “I am excited for the 2025 season with the No. 23 team and to work with Bubba and all of 23XI Racing beginning in the offseason. Bubba is a proven winner, and I believe we will bring out the best in each other. Thank you to Michael, Denny, and Dave (Rogers, competition director) for the opportunity to join the 23XI family. They have built an incredible culture at Airspeed.” The crew chief went on to say, “I am looking forward to this next chapter and to be able to contribute to 23XI’s growth and journey to winning championships.”