What Is Brake Bias? The Issue That Plagued NASCAR Star Bubba Wallace in New Hampshire

Drivers and teams throughout the motorsport world face the mammoth task of dialing in the right settings to extract the maximum potential of their machines. From tuning up the engine to achieving the sweet spot while adjusting the suspension, every aspect of the car is fine-tuned to gain an edge over the competition. 

The heart of the operation is the engine, churning out hundreds of horsepower, followed by the suspension determining how well the car will handle. So what do the brakes do? While many may answer that their only function is to keep the speed in check, that will only be partially true. Intriguing, right? For the unversed, in the world of racing, brakes not only reduce the speed but also assist in tackling turns using brake bias.

What is Brake Bias?

Sometimes referred to as brake balance, brake bias determines how much braking force is delivered to the front and rear wheels. A common ratio often thrown around is the 60-40 brake bias, which indicates 60% braking pressure is applied to the front wheels and the remaining 40% to the rear. But that universal figure doesn’t apply to the world of motorsport and even varies from driver to driver. When tackling a turn, the brake bias also determines how well a car will handle turns.

While the car’s steering is the main directional input, brakes play an important role. If the car’s braking is more front biased, there will be a weight transfer to the front tires, ultimately increasing grip and corner stability. A more front bias also increases under-steer in corners and chews up the front tire faster. While a rear brake bias does improve braking in a straight line, there are multiple downsides to it in corners. With more braking force on the rear brakes, the car tends to over-steer in corners, something race car drivers are not too fond of. While under-steer can be countered with ease, over-steer is tough to correct, often leading to spin-outs. The cars used in NASCAR have brake bias adjuster knobs built in, allowing drivers to adjust the brake bias to their liking. 

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But we do not live in a perfect world, and at some point, malfunctions are bound to occur. One such victim was 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace, who suffered from a malfunctioned braking bias dial during the 2023 Crayon 301 Cup Series race. 

Bubba Wallace victimized by brake bias

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Suffering from poor performance throughout the 2023 season, Bubba Wallace has constantly faced issues with braking. The Crayon 301 Cup Series race was no different, as Wallace was once again plagued by poor braking. To further add to the 23XI Racing driver’s woes, the brake bias adjuster malfunctioned in the #23 Toyota.

Unable to keep the car within pit box limits when entering Pit Road, Wallace slid through his pit box twice. Asking the team to give him extra distance when pitting, Bubba Wallace even complained of the brake bias knob malfunctioning. Speaking to his crew chief, Wallace said, “You want to know something. Brake dial does not work. No idea where the f*ck I am.”

Finishing in the 8th spot at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, can Bubba Wallace and his 23XI Racing team overcome their challenges and secure a spot in the playoffs?

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