Sad News: Bubba Wallace will be saying Goodbye in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season to his Crew Chief, Bootie Barker…….
Bubba Wallace and his crew chief, Bootie Barker, will part ways ahead of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Barker, who has led Wallace’s No. 23 team at 23XI Racing since late 2021, expressed surprise at the decision but will remain with the organization in a different capacity.
In Barker’s place, Charles Denike will assume the role of crew chief for Wallace. Denike has been serving as the crew chief for Christian Eckes in the NASCAR Truck Series, where he guided the No. 19 team to three victories in 2024. This appointment marks Denike’s first venture into the Cup Series as a crew chief.
The 2024 season presented challenges for Wallace, who finished 18th in the overall standings without securing a win. Despite early successes, including two fifth-place finishes, the team struggled to maintain consistent performance throughout the year. The decision to change crew chiefs is part of 23XI Racing’s strategy to enhance competitiveness in the upcoming season.
As Wallace and Denike prepare for the 2025 season, both aim to build a strong partnership that will lead to improved results on the track. The team and fans alike are hopeful that this change will usher in a new era of success for the No. 23car.
