23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace has now established himself at the top level of NASCAR racing. However, his early NASCAR days were a massive struggle. Although it was clear that he had the talent to make it onto the big stage, he found it difficult to attract sponsors. For NASCAR drivers, especially newcomers, sponsors make the difference between staying in the sport or not.

He said, “I was always trying to be different, and just be fun, and not just your average cookie-cutter NASCAR driver, you know? I was just always out there, balls to the walls, having fun. I thought that would attract sponsors, and we were producing results. It was frustrating to go through those times. They always said, you know, You win one, the sponsors will come.’ Well, I won about five or six and the sponsors never came.”

Bubba Wallace is looking forward to the 2022 season

The 23XI Racing driver will now enter the new season with some company. To be exact, he has a new teammate in the form of Kurt Busch, who is driving the #45 car. Busch has spent more time in the car as part of the tests, while Bubba missed some tests due to his shoulder history.

Now, the #23 and #45 drivers are anxiously waiting for this weekend’s showdown at the Coliseum. Admittedly, they will not be overly focused on the Clash, because there are no points on offer. Instead, their real focus is on the Daytona 500, which is two weeks later. That is when the real 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off. It will be a chance for the 23XI Racing team to prove that they have made significant strides from last year.

READ MORE: Bubba Wallace on NASCAR: “Didn’t Even Care for It Until I Was at the Truck Level Really. It Was Like, ‘Holy Cow’.”