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San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Automotive
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bubba Wallace overcame questions and doubts to end 3-year drought with 1st Brickyard 400 win
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bubba Wallace spent three long years questioning everything about his racing world. During a 100-race winless streak, he saw teammate Tyler Reddick win five times and post three top 10 finishes in NASCAR's final standings. Wallace also watched team co-owner Denny Hamlin make regular trips to victory lane while still chasing his elusive Cup title. The drought forced Wallace to contemplate what was wrong and whether he'd continue to be employed in racing — until he realized there was more to life than racing. Sunday's life-changing Brickyard 400 title only reinforced that notion. 'When Amanda and I first started dating, I was like 'Hey, racing everything, right?' I knew I made a mistake saying that,' Wallace said, referring to his wife Sunday night. 'It took me all these years to realize this isn't always going to be here. So I think it's better to enjoy moments like this, but nothing can overcome the joyful times you have with your family.' Those aren't just empty words, either. After celebrating with his crew, a jubilant Wallace hugged his wife and hoisted their 10-month-old son over his head, an image that may far outlive Wallace's reign as champion. His second family, other Cup drivers, also embraced Wallace following the biggest victory of his career. By becoming the first Black driver to win a major race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway's historic 2.5-mile oval, Wallace also locked up his second playoff appearance. But long before Sunday, there were indications Wallace was turning things around. After posting just six top five finishes and 12 top 10s in his first five Cup seasons, Wallace broke through with five top fives and 10 top 10s in 2022 and 2023. Last year, he had career bests of six top fives and 14 top 10s. And he won one pole in each of those three seasons, too. He also won two qualifying races leading up to this year's Daytona 500, though those wins don't count in the Cup's official stats. Midway through last season, though, Hamlin noticed a change in Wallace. 'When I hired Bubba, I believed in his capability, not necessarily the results he had shown, but I understood his potential. And then there was a time where we were kind of wrestling with 'Do I want it worse than him? I can't make him want it,'" Hamlin said. 'It just seems like something happened mid last year — maybe related to having a child or whatever — but something happened where I saw a change in attitude that changed work for him.' It was a new perspective on life. Suddenly, Wallace had more to think about than just racing and it freed him up to alleviate some of the pressure he put on himself and the brutal self critiques. 'I'm a guy with a beautiful wife, a beautiful son and putting family first, that's all that matters and just fortunate enough to be driving race cars,' he said. 'That makes things easier, gives you something to kind of focus on, the racing stuff is kind of secondary now and you have to have a mental shift to say that.' But the philosophical change was only part of the equation. Crew chief Charles Denike, whose nine years in the U.S. Army showed him how to cope with pressure, added a calming influence on the radio. Wallace also started reading 'The Daily Stoic," a resource with exercises to help people cultivate wisdom and resilience. Fatherhood changed things, too. 'I've got the family here,' he said. 'Beck's win, officially his first race, and see his dad do it — get to victory lane — that brings me a lot of joy. Amanda's here, we lost our grandmother Friday night, so it's just kind of been a special weekend for us. Our family's here in Indiana, so this is really cool to be able to do.' Of course, Wallace still gets frustrated as he did Saturday when he missed capturing the Brickyard pole by a whisker in qualifying. But he managed to strike a balance between the disgust that used to seep in and the positivity of what he nearly accomplished. And it made a difference on the track Sunday and potentially off of it in the near future. 'There's a certain level of expectation to win and so, not doing that for almost three years, you really start to doubt yourself and wonder 'Is this it after the contract's up? Is this it?'' he said. 'I've still got a couple of years left, so hopefully this gives another year at least.'
Fox Sports
a day ago
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Bubba Wallace overcame questions and doubts to end 3-year drought with 1st Brickyard 400 win
Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bubba Wallace spent three long years questioning everything about his racing world. During a 100-race winless streak, he saw teammate Tyler Reddick win five times and post three top 10 finishes in NASCAR's final standings. Wallace also watched team co-owner Denny Hamlin make regular trips to victory lane while still chasing his elusive Cup title. The drought forced Wallace to contemplate what was wrong and whether he'd continue to be employed in racing — until he realized there was more to life than racing. Sunday's life-changing Brickyard 400 title only reinforced that notion. 'When Amanda and I first started dating, I was like 'Hey, racing everything, right?' I knew I made a mistake saying that,' Wallace said, referring to his wife Sunday night. 'It took me all these years to realize this isn't always going to be here. So I think it's better to enjoy moments like this, but nothing can overcome the joyful times you have with your family.' Those aren't just empty words, either. After celebrating with his crew, a jubilant Wallace hugged his wife and hoisted their 10-month-old son over his head, an image that may far outlive Wallace's reign as champion. His second family, other Cup drivers, also embraced Wallace following the biggest victory of his career. By becoming the first Black driver to win a major race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway's historic 2.5-mile oval, Wallace also locked up his second playoff appearance. But long before Sunday, there were indications Wallace was turning things around. After posting just six top five finishes and 12 top 10s in his first five Cup seasons, Wallace broke through with five top fives and 10 top 10s in 2022 and 2023. Last year, he had career bests of six top fives and 14 top 10s. And he won one pole in each of those three seasons, too. He also won two qualifying races leading up to this year's Daytona 500, though those wins don't count in the Cup's official stats. Midway through last season, though, Hamlin noticed a change in Wallace. 'When I hired Bubba, I believed in his capability, not necessarily the results he had shown, but I understood his potential. And then there was a time where we were kind of wrestling with 'Do I want it worse than him? I can't make him want it,'" Hamlin said. 'It just seems like something happened mid last year — maybe related to having a child or whatever — but something happened where I saw a change in attitude that changed work for him.' It was a new perspective on life. Suddenly, Wallace had more to think about than just racing and it freed him up to alleviate some of the pressure he put on himself and the brutal self critiques. 'I'm a guy with a beautiful wife, a beautiful son and putting family first, that's all that matters and just fortunate enough to be driving race cars,' he said. 'That makes things easier, gives you something to kind of focus on, the racing stuff is kind of secondary now and you have to have a mental shift to say that.' But the philosophical change was only part of the equation. Crew chief Charles Denike, whose nine years in the U.S. Army showed him how to cope with pressure, added a calming influence on the radio. Wallace also started reading 'The Daily Stoic," a resource with exercises to help people cultivate wisdom and resilience. Fatherhood changed things, too. 'I've got the family here,' he said. 'Beck's win, officially his first race, and see his dad do it — get to victory lane — that brings me a lot of joy. Amanda's here, we lost our grandmother Friday night, so it's just kind of been a special weekend for us. Our family's here in Indiana, so this is really cool to be able to do.' Of course, Wallace still gets frustrated as he did Saturday when he missed capturing the Brickyard pole by a whisker in qualifying. But he managed to strike a balance between the disgust that used to seep in and the positivity of what he nearly accomplished. And it made a difference on the track Sunday and potentially off of it in the near future. 'There's a certain level of expectation to win and so, not doing that for almost three years, you really start to doubt yourself and wonder 'Is this it after the contract's up? Is this it?'' he said. 'I've still got a couple of years left, so hopefully this gives another year at least.' ___ AP auto racing: recommended Item 1 of 3
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bubba Wallace overcame questions and doubts to end 3-year drought with 1st Brickyard 400 win
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bubba Wallace spent three long years questioning everything about his racing world. During a 100-race winless streak, he saw teammate Tyler Reddick win five times and post three top 10 finishes in NASCAR's final standings. Wallace also watched team co-owner Denny Hamlin make regular trips to victory lane while still chasing his elusive Cup title. The drought forced Wallace to contemplate what was wrong and whether he'd continue to be employed in racing — until he realized there was more to life than racing. Sunday's life-changing Brickyard 400 title only reinforced that notion. 'When Amanda and I first started dating, I was like 'Hey, racing everything, right?' I knew I made a mistake saying that,' Wallace said, referring to his wife Sunday night. 'It took me all these years to realize this isn't always going to be here. So I think it's better to enjoy moments like this, but nothing can overcome the joyful times you have with your family.' Those aren't just empty words, either. After celebrating with his crew, a jubilant Wallace hugged his wife and hoisted their 10-month-old son over his head, an image that may far outlive Wallace's reign as champion. His second family, other Cup drivers, also embraced Wallace following the biggest victory of his career. By becoming the first Black driver to win a major race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway's historic 2.5-mile oval, Wallace also locked up his second playoff appearance. But long before Sunday, there were indications Wallace was turning things around. After posting just six top five finishes and 12 top 10s in his first five Cup seasons, Wallace broke through with five top fives and 10 top 10s in 2022 and 2023. Last year, he had career bests of six top fives and 14 top 10s. And he won one pole in each of those three seasons, too. He also won two qualifying races leading up to this year's Daytona 500, though those wins don't count in the Cup's official stats. Midway through last season, though, Hamlin noticed a change in Wallace. 'When I hired Bubba, I believed in his capability, not necessarily the results he had shown, but I understood his potential. And then there was a time where we were kind of wrestling with 'Do I want it worse than him? I can't make him want it,'' Hamlin said. 'It just seems like something happened mid last year — maybe related to having a child or whatever — but something happened where I saw a change in attitude that changed work for him.' It was a new perspective on life. Suddenly, Wallace had more to think about than just racing and it freed him up to alleviate some of the pressure he put on himself and the brutal self critiques. 'I'm a guy with a beautiful wife, a beautiful son and putting family first, that's all that matters and just fortunate enough to be driving race cars,' he said. 'That makes things easier, gives you something to kind of focus on, the racing stuff is kind of secondary now and you have to have a mental shift to say that.' But the philosophical change was only part of the equation. Crew chief Charles Denike, whose nine years in the U.S. Army showed him how to cope with pressure, added a calming influence on the radio. Wallace also started reading 'The Daily Stoic,' a resource with exercises to help people cultivate wisdom and resilience. Fatherhood changed things, too. 'I've got the family here,' he said. 'Beck's win, officially his first race, and see his dad do it — get to victory lane — that brings me a lot of joy. Amanda's here, we lost our grandmother Friday night, so it's just kind of been a special weekend for us. Our family's here in Indiana, so this is really cool to be able to do.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Of course, Wallace still gets frustrated as he did Saturday when he missed capturing the Brickyard pole by a whisker in qualifying. But he managed to strike a balance between the disgust that used to seep in and the positivity of what he nearly accomplished. And it made a difference on the track Sunday and potentially off of it in the near future. 'There's a certain level of expectation to win and so, not doing that for almost three years, you really start to doubt yourself and wonder 'Is this it after the contract's up? Is this it?'' he said. 'I've still got a couple of years left, so hopefully this gives another year at least.' ___ AP auto racing:
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Bubba Wallace overcame questions and doubts to end 3-year drought with 1st Brickyard 400 win
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bubba Wallace spent three long years questioning everything about his racing world. During a 100-race winless streak, he saw teammate Tyler Reddick win five times and post three top 10 finishes in NASCAR's final standings. Wallace also watched team co-owner Denny Hamlin make regular trips to victory lane while still chasing his elusive Cup title. The drought forced Wallace to contemplate what was wrong and whether he'd continue to be employed in racing — until he realized there was more to life than racing. Sunday's life-changing Brickyard 400 title only reinforced that notion. 'When Amanda and I first started dating, I was like 'Hey, racing everything, right?' I knew I made a mistake saying that,' Wallace said, referring to his wife Sunday night. 'It took me all these years to realize this isn't always going to be here. So I think it's better to enjoy moments like this, but nothing can overcome the joyful times you have with your family.' Those aren't just empty words , either. After celebrating with his crew, a jubilant Wallace hugged his wife and hoisted their 10-month-old son over his head, an image that may far outlive Wallace's reign as champion. His second family, other Cup drivers, also embraced Wallace following the biggest victory of his career. By becoming the first Black driver to win a major race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway's historic 2.5-mile oval, Wallace also locked up his second playoff appearance. But long before Sunday, there were indications Wallace was turning things around. After posting just six top five finishes and 12 top 10s in his first five Cup seasons, Wallace broke through with five top fives and 10 top 10s in 2022 and 2023. Last year, he had career bests of six top fives and 14 top 10s. And he won one pole in each of those three seasons, too. He also won two qualifying races leading up to this year's Daytona 500, though those wins don't count in the Cup's official stats. Midway through last season, though, Hamlin noticed a change in Wallace. 'When I hired Bubba, I believed in his capability, not necessarily the results he had shown, but I understood his potential. And then there was a time where we were kind of wrestling with 'Do I want it worse than him? I can't make him want it,'' Hamlin said. 'It just seems like something happened mid last year — maybe related to having a child or whatever — but something happened where I saw a change in attitude that changed work for him.' It was a new perspective on life. Suddenly, Wallace had more to think about than just racing and it freed him up to alleviate some of the pressure he put on himself and the brutal self critiques. 'I'm a guy with a beautiful wife, a beautiful son and putting family first, that's all that matters and just fortunate enough to be driving race cars,' he said. 'That makes things easier, gives you something to kind of focus on, the racing stuff is kind of secondary now and you have to have a mental shift to say that.' But the philosophical change was only part of the equation. Crew chief Charles Denike, whose nine years in the U.S. Army showed him how to cope with pressure, added a calming influence on the radio. Wallace also started reading 'The Daily Stoic,' a resource with exercises to help people cultivate wisdom and resilience. Fatherhood changed things, too. 'I've got the family here,' he said. 'Beck's win, officially his first race, and see his dad do it — get to victory lane — that brings me a lot of joy. Amanda's here, we lost our grandmother Friday night, so it's just kind of been a special weekend for us. Our family's here in Indiana, so this is really cool to be able to do.' Of course, Wallace still gets frustrated as he did Saturday when he missed capturing the Brickyard pole by a whisker in qualifying. But he managed to strike a balance between the disgust that used to seep in and the positivity of what he nearly accomplished. And it made a difference on the track Sunday and potentially off of it in the near future. 'There's a certain level of expectation to win and so, not doing that for almost three years, you really start to doubt yourself and wonder 'Is this it after the contract's up? Is this it?'' he said. 'I've still got a couple of years left, so hopefully this gives another year at least.' ___ AP auto racing:
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Bubba Wallace holds off Kyle Larson to win Brickyard 400
Bubba Wallace has been collecting points for the first 21 races of 2025, but on Sunday he earned something more important: a crown jewel trophy and a championship playoff berth. The 23XI Racing Toyota driver endured a late delay and barely won on fuel to capture Sunday's 29th annual Brickyard 400 in the second overtime at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway. After rain fell with six laps remaining and Wallace leading, the field sat through a red-flag condition for a rain shower, with the 23XI Racing team feeling they could only possibly make it through one overtime. On the restart and with 10 of the top 12 on old tyres and little fuel, the 31-year-old Mobile, Alabama, native led the two overtimes, had enough fuel in the second one and edged Kyle Larson by 0.222 seconds for his third career Cup Series win to break a 100 race winless streak. Wallace, whose No 23 Toyota is owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, led 30 laps and earned a spot in the championship playoffs by becoming the 13th different winner in 2025. Wallace went from appearing to have a win with seven laps left in regulation to wondering if he had enough fuel in an uncertain overtime period. If he had lost on fuel, it would have damaged him severely in the points. "I thought about everything under that red flag," said Wallace, whose previous wins were at Talladega and Kansas. "I am worn out, and that adrenaline rush is crazy. To overcome so much and to put these people here in Victory Lane, that's what it's about. It's about the people who continue to push me (and) believe in me." As a team owner, Hamlin changed into street clothes and kissed the bricks in the same way Wallace did. "They deserved to win the race," said Hamlin, who finished third after starting last in a backup car. "They were faster. They pulled away from the pack there. If that race goes green with no rain, they win it outright. "A great, flawless execution day by Bubba and (crew chief) Charles (Denike)." Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski were in fourth and fifth, respectively. Ty Gibbs won the In-Season Challenge's $1m (R17,738,240) purse by topping Ty Dillon in the head-to-head matchup. Gibbs' No 54 Toyota finished 21st. Dillon suffered nose damage on the way to a 28th-place effort. Mitchell, Indiana, native Chase Briscoe led his first laps at Indy after starting from the pole for the first time - all 18 circuits - before Michael McDowell nudged Ross Chastain's Chevrolet and sent the No 1 backward into the turn 3 wall. Briscoe regained the lead late in the 50-lap Stage 1, giving the Joe Gibbs Racing driver his second stage win and the maximum bonus points. Wallace followed in second, while William Byron, Tyler Reddick and Chris Buescher were close behind. Late in Stage 2, Erik Jones' No 43 cut a right front tyre and slammed into the turn 3 wall to force the third caution, scrambling teams' strategies of pitting or staying out. Ford drivers Ryan Blaney and Keselowski stayed out to form the first row for a restart, and Blaney held off Larson for his fifth stage win this season. In a backup car after a qualifying crash as the last driver out on Saturday, Hamlin came in third with Byron and Brad Keselowski completing the top five.
