Bubba Wallace is a guy who knows how to stir the pot, whether he’s behind the wheel or facing the crowd. Love him or hate him, he’s got a knack for keeping us talking. Lately, though, it feels like something is shifting. The NASCAR world has been buzzing about his antics, his heart, and even his sly sense of humor, especially after his latest post on X.

From pranks to fan moments, Wallace is showing sides of himself that bring out all kinds of emotions —sometimes with a laugh, sometimes with a lump in your throat. And you know who he reminds us of? Denny Hamlin, his 23XI Racing co-owner, and another driver who’s walked a similar tightrope between villain and fan favorite, especially recently with his bold “11 against the world” flag, unfurled after his drought-breaking victory at Martinsville on Sunday. Now, Bubba Wallace is embracing his role as the disliked driver of the grid.

Bubba Wallace is so close, yet so far

Bubba Wallace has had a topsy-turvy time as a Cup Series driver. He started his full-time career with Richard Petty Motorsports, posting three top-5 finished across his first three seasons, but couldn’t bag a win. However, a switch to 23XI Racing in 2021 changed fortunes. He won the 2021 playoff race at Talladega to mark his first victory and followed it up with a playoff win at Kansas in 2022. However, while he did make the playoffs in 2023, he has not won a race since 2022. Despite a three-year winless run looming, Wallace has had a bright start to 2025 and used this as an opportunity to take a dig at himself!

After a crew chief change to Charles Denike in 2025, Wallace was pumped for his redemption arc. He started the season with a win at the Duel race at Daytona ahead of the Daytona 500. Despite not making it to victory lane this season, Wallace’s driving has been sublime. A graphic posted on X by Daniel Cespedes read, “Bubba Wallace leads the series in percentage of laps run in the Top 3 and Top 5 to start the season.” Considering Wallace has only two top-5 finishes for these runs, it’s no surprise that he clapped back at himself.

On April 2, 2025, Wallace dropped a two-word bomb on X: “He sucks.” It was a cheeky reply to the post by Daniel Céspedes. It’s a classic case of poking fun at the fact that no matter what he does, some fans will find a reason to grumble. And he knows it. That sly dig is him laughing at the chaos he stirs up just by being himself. Wallace has seen a surprising number of detractors of his racing during his career, but with the support he has around him, it is much easier to mute the noise outside.

Wallace has got a solid crew in his corner, and it’s not just anyone—it’s heavyweights like Michael Jordan, 6x NBA Champion and his boss at 23XI Racing, and Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes, who’s been vocal about his support. This shows how Wallace’s journey resonates beyond the racetrack, even reaching the basketball world. “Ever since then, we talked a handful of times throughout the year. It’s always fun seeing him [Rick Barnes] in his element, and vice-versa; he loves turning on the races when he has time. I think it’s super cool to have a person like him in your corner, and he’s a big fan of the sport,” said Wallace.

Before the Daytona 500, he shared a four-word message with fans that showed where his head was at. “Same drive. New purpose,” Wallace wrote on X, with a photo of his son, Becks Hayden, in his arms. It’s a peek into his mindset after all the changes in his life. Besides simply getting a new crew chief, Wallace welcomed his son, Becks Hayden, in September 2024 and has opened a new chapter of fatherhood that seems to have shaped his perspective on racing.

“Nothing else matters anymore, besides being a great father, being a great husband, being a great family man,” Wallace told CBS news recently. This shift in mentality is reflected in his drive, as he is a lot more composed after narrow defeats, such as finishing third at Homestead and Martinsville. However, for motivation within the garage, there’s no one better to have in your ear than Michael Jordan.

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Bubba Wallace opens up on Michael Jordan’s watchful eyes at 23XI Racing

Michael Jordan is a 6X NBA Champion, and he was the Finals MVP in each of those triumphs. Jordan certainly knows everything there is about winning, but he also knows how to create a winning mentality, something that he has worked to instill in his drivers. Last year, Tyler Reddick broke through, winning the regular season championship and giving 23XI Racing their first Championship 4 berth. So, Bubba recently spilled the beans on what it’s like working with MJ, and it’s a mix of awe and intensity.

“We talk multiple times throughout the week and definitely there’s a text before and definitely after a race. He’s watching. Good or bad, win, lose, or draw, he’s always watching.” Bubba shared on CBS Morning. That’s MJ never missing a beat. It’s clear Jordan’s not just a name on the team; he’s in deep, pushing Wallace to be better every single day.

Wallace also opened up, saying, “I think everybody at Airspeed (23XI’s shop) knows that MJ is invested mentally.” Jordan’s been a fan forever, soaking in races since he was a kid growing up in North Carolina, the birthplace of stock car racing. You can feel the weight Wallace carries under Jordan’s gaze, but also the love. It’s a high-stakes game at 23XI, and with MJ’s relentless drive, Wallace has got no choice but to keep pushing. That’s the kind of pressure that either breaks you or makes you—and Wallace is still racing hard. Isn’t that what makes this team so electric?