Bubba Wallace Shares His Elation on Former 23XI Racing Teammate Kurt Busch’s NASCAR Hall of Fame Honor

When Kurt Busch was told of the damage that came from his Pocono crash, he was devastated. How could a practice session wreck force him to retire? But that was the bitter truth of the situation. Who knew the track that would push him out of racing would welcome him back with the Hall of Fame nomination. And as he receives this honor, he’ll have an old friend supporting him.

One of Bubba Wallace’s immediate reactions upon learning that his old teammate Kurt Busch had been elected into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2025 was to get in touch. After a few texts, it became clear how important the moment was for Wallace as well as for Busch.

“It’s cool,” Wallace told Frontstretch. “When I first heard he was nominated… and then to get accepted, it’s just awesome. We’ve shared a couple of texts. He’s super excited, and I’m proud of him. It’s an honor to call him a friend—but also a teammate.” It was years of sharing a garage or years of racing together that led to that mutual regard. When 23XI Racing switched to a two-car operation in 2022, it brought together Wallace and Busch in a roster that combined youthful intensity with veteran expertise. Nevertheless, it was sufficient to make an impression.

“Honored to call him a friend, but also a teammate.” –@BubbaWallace on @KurtBusch being selected for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Also hear from @TylerReddick on stage racing in the Coca-Cola 600. pic.twitter.com/adpcbhAKkR

— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) May 24, 2025

Busch brought outcomes to 23XI in addition to pedigree. His triumph at Kansas Speedway in May 2022 gave the No. 45 Toyota its first Cup Series victory and only the team’s second overall. The veteran proved to the garage that he still had it in the latter stages of his career by outdueling Kyle Larson and leading a race-high 116 laps. After Busch’s full-time racing career ended due to a qualifying crash at Pocono four months later, Wallace was among the first to publicly voice support. “We’ll hold it down for you,” he tweeted, a simple but telling gesture that underscored the bond they’d formed. Wallace slid into the No. 45 and performed a poetic move. He also prevailed at Kansas. Under the same team colors, at the same track, in the same vehicle.

Despite their short time together, Busch had a profound and lasting influence on Wallace. Busch, who had previously been known for his dramatic outbursts and unbridled intensity, had become into a steadying veteran that Wallace, who was still gaining confidence in his Cup career at the time, could rely on. “He brought a calming presence,” Wallace has said in past interviews. “I learned a lot just from how he handled the ebbs and flows.”

Wallace sees the honor as more than just a statistic. It serves as a reminder of the individuals who influence drivers as well as the culture of a team. In addition to raising the bar for performance at 23XI, Busch set the groundwork for the team’s development in 2024 and beyond, making Wallace a consistent playoff candidate and self-appointed team captain. For Wallace, it’s personal. “It’s well-deserved,” Wallace reiterated. “I’m just proud to have been a small part of that journey.”

And for Kurt, it will be good to see his mentee growing into success. Back in 2024, speaking about Wallace he had said, “Bubba is in his prime right now. Bubba has years of experience. It’s great to see him charge into this season with his attitude and focus. He knows he’s in the mix and it’s time to grab another gear. That’s a weight that’s on his shoulders and we’ll never know what it’s like to walk in his shoes. We just have to keep encouraging him to grow.”

For now, let’s see what 23XI and Co. are up to at the Coca-Cola 600.

23XI Racing Adds Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated as Sponsor for 2025 Season

23XI Racing has announced a new collaboration with Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (CCBCC) to include one of the most recognizable beverage brands in the sport in its sponsorship selection for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. The agreement involves a wider brand alignment across teams and driver marketing platforms and principal sponsorship for a few races on Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE.

The team shared the news via social media, stating, “Big news! We’re proud to welcome @CokeCCBCC to the 23XI Racing family. Whether it’s cooling down after a race or celebrating in Victory Lane, Coke is Bubba’s go-to. Here’s to more iconic moments on and off the track.”

The collaboration is an extension of Wallace’s longstanding relationship with Coca-Cola. During his time at Richard Petty Motorsports, he joined the Coca-Cola Racing Family in 2018 and has continued to be a well-known brand ambassador despite several team changes. 

Business-wise, the action highlights 23XI’s increasing capacity to draw in established companies seeking to connect with younger, more varied, and tech-savvy NASCAR fans. The agreement allows CCBCC to expand its market share in both regional and national markets by utilizing Wallace’s influence and competitive profile.

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