Bubba Wallace: The Life-Changing and Career Shift After Becoming a Father in NASCAR

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace has undergone a notable transformation, especially since the arrival of his son, Becks. Previously known for his frustration and difficulty handling poor results, he now displays a more positive and engaged attitude. Wallace used to be the one who would lock himself in his motorhome after a race, visibly affected. His wife, Amanda, shared his suffering. However, the roles have changed. Now, it’s Amanda who seems more disturbed by the results, while Wallace has learned to remain calm.

Now I’m going back to the bus and Amanda is more upset than I am. It’s hard to deal with that because over the years she’s known this is what we have and I have to make this work… Now I go in, like after Kansas, and I was fine, and she’s beside herself. It’s kind of funny.

Bubba Wallace

An example of this evolution was seen in the Kansas Speedway race, where Wallace was leading on the last lap, but a move by his teammate and team owner, Denny Hamlin, pushed him against the wall. Despite the disappointment of not winning, Wallace handled the situation with professionalism, unlike Amanda, who reflected the frustration that Wallace used to feel.

The birth of his son, Becks, in September 2024, was the main catalyst for this change. According to Freddie Kraft, friend and spotter of Wallace, the “highs” are still higher and the “lows” are never as deep as before. Fatherhood has given Wallace a new perspective, allowing him to enjoy life and the sport more. Wallace has learned to separate his personal and professional life, which allows him to better manage pressure and expectations. Previously, he let himself be consumed by the results of the races, affecting his mental state on and off the track. Now, fatherhood gives him a new perspective, allowing him to enjoy life and sport more.

This new attitude is reflected in his performance on the track. Wallace is on his way to having his best season in the Cup Series, with a victory in Indianapolis and a position in the top 10 of the 2025 playoffs. His team and his mentality have improved, allowing him to consistently compete at the front. Hamlin, owner of the 23XI Racing team, has expressed his amazement at Wallace’s maturity and his leadership within the team. Wallace has achieved a remarkable change in recent years, making him a competitor to be reckoned with every week. With three races remaining in the season, Wallace is in a promising position, with the possibility of achieving his best season in the Cup Series. This success on the track, along with Wallace’s personal growth, has created a more positive and productive environment for him and his team. The driver has expressed that he enjoys competing more and feels happier on the track, attributing this change to enjoying every aspect of his life.