Bubba Wallace has successfully renewed his multi-year contract with Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing, despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding charter negotiations with NASCAR that were previously believed to be crucial for his agreement. While the future of the team’s charters for the upcoming season remains up in the air, the organization has managed to secure Wallace as their driver.
This contract extension follows a challenging season for Wallace, who fell short of expectations. Over the course of the regular season, he achieved only five top-five finishes in 26 races and unfortunately did not qualify for the playoffs, currently sitting at 19th in the driver standings. Since joining 23XI Racing in 2021, Wallace has celebrated two notable victories, but his performance this past season raised concerns among fans and analysts alike.
The announcement was made by 23XI Racing through a promotional video featuring Wallace, prominently displaying the phrase “He’s back” in bold red lettering. Accompanying the video was a statement that highlighted Wallace’s integral role within the team: “From day one, Bubba has been an essential part of 23XI. We’re thrilled to announce that he has signed a multi-year renewal and will continue to play a key role in helping 23XI grow and succeed. #ForwardTogether.”
NASCAR also shared the news on their social media platform, X, but the reception from fans was mixed. Many expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision, with one fan bluntly stating, “Well this is a waste of money.”
Additional comments from the NASCAR community reflected a range of sentiments regarding Wallace’s contract extension. One fan remarked, “Never winning a cup with this guy and everyone knows it. #Advertisingmoney,” while another added sarcastically, “PUMPED! 2 more years of no playoffs for a competitive Toyota!” A particularly controversial comment came from a NASCAR enthusiast questioning, “Is it possible to dislike Bubba and not be racist?”
One fan expressed confusion about the decision-making process behind the renewal, wondering, “Can someone explain why this is the right decision for 23XI? I get he’s MJ’s guy, but this team has proven to be a championship-level team, and Bubba has consistently been a fringe playoff driver. I just feel like there are better options out there.”
In addition to the contract news, NASCAR insiders have been discussing the ongoing charter negotiations that could impact 23XI Racing. NASCAR recently provided the final draft of the charter agreement to teams, establishing a deadline of September 6, just before the playoffs begin. Both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports found the terms of the deal unsatisfactory and chose not to sign.
With the current charter agreement set to expire at the end of the 2024 season, the fate of the charters held by both teams remains uncertain. Responding to a fan’s inquiry about 23XI Racing’s charters in light of Bubba Wallace’s renewal, NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass noted, “Still TBD on 23XI and Front Row charters. If they don’t sign, then TBD what NASCAR does with those charters (sell them, hold them to see if they sign, etc.). They can field open cars, but the payouts (at least under the current deal) are less than a third of what charter teams receive.”
The future of managing their four charters remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether legal intervention may be necessary to resolve the situation.
