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Denny Hamlin has raised eyebrows regarding Bubba Wallace’s prospects at 23XI Racing after the team opted not to sign the charter agreement. Among the 15 teams in the NASCAR Cup Series, both 23XI and Front Row Motorsports missed the deadline set by NASCAR to finalize the deal by Friday night.
The teams were given a specific timeframe to agree to a multi-year charter extension, and missing this deadline could jeopardize their guaranteed entry into every points-paying race on the 2025 Cup Series schedule.
23XI Racing made its debut at the 2021 Daytona 500, with Bubba Wallace driving the #23 Toyota Camry. The Alabama native was the first driver signed by the co-ownership of Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. In 2022, Wallace secured a multi-year contract extension with the team.
As of now, it remains uncertain whether the two-time Cup Series race winner will continue with the Huntersville-based team in 2025. The team’s decision to forgo the charter extension could lead to diminished earnings from race weekends, casting a shadow over Wallace’s future with 23XI Racing in his NASCAR career.
When Bob Pockrass inquired about the implications of the charter situation on the #23 Toyota driver’s future, Hamlin responded…
“The future hinges on agreements like the charter, so yes,” Hamlin remarked (0:39).
23XI Racing declined to sign the charter extension, citing a lack of fair negotiation opportunities.
Bubba Wallace expressed his disappointment regarding the unsuccessful charter discussions.
For the past two years, NASCAR teams have been working towards a consensus on the charter extension. The team based in Huntersville submitted a letter to NASCAR outlining their concerns, but they felt they were not given sufficient chances to negotiate. They believe the sport should operate under principles of fairness and equity.
In light of 23XI’s refusal to sign the charter extension, Bubba Wallace shared his concerns, noting that the current situation could affect his future with the team. He stated (via Frontstretch on X), “My situation has been closely tied to the charter agreement. It’s disheartening to see where we stand, as it directly influences my life, my career, and everything ahead for me.”
Bubba Wallace is currently in his fourth season with 23XI Racing, having made the playoffs just once, last year. In contrast, his teammate Tyler Reddick is in his second season with the team, finishing sixth in his rookie year and securing the regular season title this year.
With Wallace’s performance in 2024 (including five top-5 finishes and ten top-10s) and the ongoing charter discussions, it will be intriguing to see how his future in NASCAR unfolds.