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 experienced a significant change in his personal and professional life, finding a new perspective thanks to fatherhood.

From Frustration to Serenity

Before, Wallace used to be the most affected in his motorhome after a race. Now, the situation has changed, and it’s his wife, Amanda, who shows more frustration at the results.

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 that this is what we have and that I have to make this work… Now I go in, like after Kansas, and I’m fine, and she’s beside herself. It’s kind of funny.

Bubba Wallace

A key moment was at Kansas Speedway, where Wallace was leading on the last lap, but a move by Denny Hamlin relegated him. Despite the disappointment, Wallace has learned to handle situations with professionalism and grace. The birth of his son Becks in September 2024 was the main catalyst for this change. According to his friend and spotter, Freddie Kraft, Wallace has experienced a notable transformation, showing greater emotional stability.

Now it seems that the moments of joy are even greater and the low moments are never as low as before. We talk after the race and, many times in the past, if we had a really bad day, I would get one-word answers or no response until the next day. Now I can text him and we joke afterwards, and I think it’s strictly because he goes back to the bus and sees Becks, or he’s talking on the phone with Becks before we get on the plane.

Freddie Kraft

Fatherhood has given Wallace a new perspective, allowing him to enjoy life more and face the challenges of racing with greater peace of mind. Wallace has learned to “compartmentalize”, separating what happens on the track from his personal life, which has helped him maintain a more positive attitude.

Statistically, Bubba Wallace is on track to have his best season, achieving a victory in Indianapolis and placing tenth in the 2025 playoff standings. The pilot has acknowledged the importance of mental health and has found ways to strengthen himself, although he has not sought formal therapy. On the track, Wallace has found greater consistency and competitiveness, which has allowed him to enjoy the races more. Denny Hamlin has also praised Wallace’s maturity and performance, highlighting his leadership in the 23XI Racing team. With three races remaining in the season, Wallace is in 10th place in the standings and could be on track for his best season in the Cup Series, fueled by his personal growth and the team’s progress. Wallace has expressed his happiness and satisfaction for competing and enjoying every aspect of his life, which is reflected in his performance on the track.