Bubba Wallace: The birth of his child transformed his NASCAR career

The birth of his son, Becks, has been the catalyst for Bubba Wallace to find joy in life and in racing. NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace has undergone a notable transformation, finding a new perspective and joy in both his personal and professional life. This change, largely driven by the arrival of his son Becks, has transformed his attitude and approach to racing, according to sources close to the driver. Before, Wallace was known for his frustration and discouragement after races, even expressing his discomfort visibly. However, nowadays, the situation has changed. His wife, Amanda, is the one who now expresses the most concern after the races, a significant contrast to the past.

Now I go back to the bus and Amanda is more upset than I am. It’s hard to handle because over the years she has known that this is what we have and that I have to make this work… Now I return, like after Kansas, and it was fine, and she is beside herself. It’s a little funny.

Bubba Wallace

A key moment of this season was at Kansas Speedway, where Wallace led the final lap before a move by Denny Hamlin, owner of his 23XI Racing team, pushed him against the wall. Despite the disappointment, Wallace handled the situation with professionalism, while Amanda’s reaction reflected the frustration he used to feel. The arrival of Becks in September 2024 was the biggest catalyst for this change. His spotter and lifelong friend, Freddie Kraft, has noticed a significant difference in Wallace’s behavior. Bubba is obviously very emotional, and that has been seen in many of his interviews in recent years. Now it seems that the moments of joy are even greater and the low moments are never as low as before. We talked after the race, and many times in the past, if we had a really bad day, I would get one-word answers or no answer until the next day. Now I can text him and we joke afterwards, and I think it’s strictly because he’s going back to the bus and seeing Becks, or he’s talking on the phone with Becks before we get on the plane. Wallace has found a new perspective in fatherhood, learning to enjoy his role as a father and to handle the ups and downs of racing with greater serenity. Fatherhood has given him a way to disconnect from the pressure of racing and find joy in family moments. Throughout his career, Wallace has struggled with mental health, including episodes of depression. Although he has not been officially diagnosed, he has worked on his personal strength, finding in Becks a reason to enjoy life and racing.

Statistically, Bubba Wallace is on track for his best season, achieving a victory in Indianapolis and ranking tenth in the 2025 playoff standings. The pilot has learned to compartmentalize, preventing poor results on the track from affecting his mood and overall performance. This skill has been crucial for his growth, allowing him to maintain a positive attitude and a more constructive approach. The team owner, Denny Hamlin, has also expressed his admiration for Wallace’s transformation, highlighting his maturity and leadership within the 23XI Racing team. With three races remaining in the season, Wallace is in tenth place in the standings and could be on his way to his best season in the Cup Series, at least statistically. Wallace’s personal progress, along with the team’s growth, has been evident in his performances. Wallace has expressed his satisfaction at having the opportunity to compete and succeed, which allows him to live with less stress and take full responsibility for his actions. He has found a new joy in life and in racing, enjoying every aspect of his existence.