The 23XI Racing team is known for its familial workspace. The drivers, crew people, and other employees work together in shared camaraderie. Bubba Wallace fosters that very well. His jocular interactions with his teammate Tyler Reddick and spotter Freddie Kraft are well-known. At the same time, Wallace upholds his work relationships with respect – he is doing the same for his new crew chief.

At the end of the 2024 season, 23XI Racing replaced Bootie Barker, the crew chief for the No. 23 team. In Barker’s place, Craftsman Truck Series crew chief Charles Denike will now operate. As the 2025 Cup Series season is barely two weeks away, Bubba Wallace outlines his dynamics with Denike.

Bubba Wallace likes to get personal

If you flip through the pages of driver-crew chief history in NASCAR, you will see blooming relationships. Kevin Harvick and Rodney Childers clinched the 2014 Cup Series championship in their very first year of working together. Then Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart’s dynamics spelled 22 race wins. Bubba Wallace is aptly aware of the healthy bonds required for these winning partnerships. That is why the No. 23 driver is approaching his new crew chief, Charles Denike with care. Denike has been part of nine Craftsman Truck Series race victories in total, bringing a wealth of experience.

In a recent episode of ‘NASCAR Live,’ Bubba Wallace showered praises on his new crew chief. “I got to meet Charles last year for the first time…He’s like super smart, he’s come from a military background. So he’s just very punctual, very set.” However, Wallace was also cautious. Charles Denike last worked with Christian Eckes in Trucks, and Wallace believes that the shift to Cup is no mean feat. That is why he is getting to know Denike on a personal level. “It’s a massive jump. I think that the more time we spend around each other…And I’m excited…I want to let his wife and kids know that this is a massive commitment. Especially 2025 – 38 races, one off-weekend – like its’ no joke.”

Although Bubba Wallace understands the seriousness of a new partnership, he is also not counting out the enjoyable part of it. When Bootie Barker first came aboard 23XI for the final 8 races of 2021, he and Wallace immediately landed a victory in Talladega. So Wallace believes in merriment, and he lets Denike know about that. “The first encounter I had, I probably reiterated to him 23 times about how much fun I wanted to have…I was like, I wanna win races, but also I just wanna have fun. When you have fun, that’s when you start winning races.'” 

Despite his focus on his new partner, Bubba Wallace is mindful about his whole team. That especially includes his previous crew chief.

A familial workspace for Charles Denike

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The announcement of Bootie Barker‘s role change surprised Bubba Wallace. The driver-crew chief duo had spent four years working together. Yet after clinching the Kansas Speedway win in September 2022, their winning trend screeched to a halt. For two seasons – 2023 and 2024 – the No. 23 team could not visit Victory Lane. Even so, Wallace did not like sidelining Barker for the 2024 finale in Phoenix – due to a penalty incurred at Martinsville. He said: “I hate that Bootie’s last race with the 23 group has to be tarnished by that. Bootie has meant a lot to me in the short amount of time I’ve got to be with him.”

Bubba Wallace’s heartwarming concern for his team workers extends beyond just the crew chief. While discussing his dynamics with Charles Denike, Wallace mentioned the privileges that his other crew personnel cannot enjoy. “I’m fortunate enough to be able to travel with my wife and kid. It’s not the same for the crew…the men and women on the team don’t have that luxury of traveling with their family. Just understanding that commitment and what it takes to be successful and competitive at this level.” This proves Wallace’s dedication to racing and most importantly, his own racing team.

After all, only effective teamwork can lead to a star-studded Cup Series season. Bubba Wallace is working on that with his new crew chief, and we cannot wait to see the new duo breathe fire.