Bubba Wallace Preparing for Potential NASCAR Cup Series Absence for Second Child’s Birth

23XI Racing is proactively preparing for the possibility that Bubba Wallace will miss a NASCAR Cup Series race this month as he and his wife, Amanda, anticipate the arrival of their second child. The couple welcomed their first child, Becks Hayden Wallace, in September 2023 , a moment that brought positivity following Wallace’s missed playoff appearance that season.

Impact of Fatherhood on Wallace’s Performance

Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and a fellow NASCAR Cup Series competitor, has observed positive changes in Wallace since becoming a father. This was notably reflected in Wallace’s victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in August 2023, where he celebrated in Victory Lane with Amanda and Becks .

Despite narrowly missing wins in the first two races of the 2024 season, Wallace has demonstrated strong performance, securing finishes of 10th, 8th, and 11th place. As of March 11, 2024, he currently stands second in the championship standings, 70 points behind teammate Christopher Bell .

Planning for the Birth of a Daughter

Wallace is determined not to miss the birth of his second child, a daughter. Having been absent for Becks’s birth, he has stated, “We’ve made the decision. I unfortunately missed the birth of my first kid; I’m not missing the second one.”

Contingency Plans at 23XI Racing

Freddie Kraft, Wallace’s spotter, outlined 23XI Racing’s contingency plans during the “Door Bumper Clear” podcast. The team has identified three potential options should Wallace require to be absent from a race. The most likely replacement is Corey Heim , who would be prepared with a day’s notice to adjust to the cockpit.

If Amanda goes into labor closer to a race, particularly the March 21st Sport Clips Haircuts 200 at Darlington Raceway, Wallace would need to leave immediately. In such a scenario, another driver would step in. Ryan Truex, brother of Martin Truex Jr., was on standby in Atlanta when Tyler Reddick was feeling unwell, demonstrating the team’s preparedness for such situations.

Standby Driver Availability

Ryan Truex was present at the Atlanta race as a precaution for Tyler Reddick’s health, showcasing the team’s proactive approach to ensuring driver availability. This highlights 23XI Racing’s commitment to having a reliable backup plan in place.