Bubba Wallace: The Radical Change in NASCAR After the Arrival of His Son

The birth of his son Becks has been the catalyst for Bubba Wallace to find joy in life and in racing. Bubba Wallace has experienced a remarkable transformation, especially since the arrival of his son, Becks. Previously, Wallace used to be the one who looked dejected after a NASCAR race, even reaching moments of extreme frustration. Now, the dynamic has changed.

Now, when I get to the bus, 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 it work… Now I go in, like after Kansas, and I was fine, and she’s heartbroken. It’s a little funny.

Bubba Wallace

In the Kansas race, Wallace was leading on the last lap when a move by Denny Hamlin, owner of his 23XI Racing team, pushed him against the wall, preventing him from winning. Despite the disappointment, Wallace handled the post-race obligations with professionalism, while his wife, Amanda’s reaction, reflected the state of mind that Wallace used to have. The arrival of Becks in September 2024 was the main change. Wallace, known for his emotiveness in interviews, has found a new perspective. His friend and spotter, Freddie Kraft, has noticed a big difference.

Now it seems that the moments of joy are even greater and the lows 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’re joking 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.

Freddie Kraft

Wallace has learned to enjoy fatherhood, understanding that his son makes everything more pleasant. On difficult days on the track, the prospect of returning to his son helps him stay calm.

You don’t think about those things at that moment. You hold on to when you’re with him or Amanda and nothing else matters. I could be here talking to you, but thinking about practice and qualifying. You’re consumed by that. You can’t be changing a diaper and thinking about qualifying. It doesn’t work. It’s good to have that now.

Bubba Wallace

Throughout his career, Wallace allowed what happened in the races to consume him during the week, affecting his mental attitude on and off the track. However, he has worked on his mental health, although he has not spoken of an official diagnosis, and has learned to better manage situations.

Statistically, Bubba Wallace is on track for his best season, achieving a victory in Indianapolis and ranking tenth in the 2025 playoff standings. Wallace has publicly shared his struggles, including moments of “feeling helpless” and how his friend Ryan Blaney’s happiness at winning the championship didn’t bring him joy. The change came with fatherhood, reducing social media use, and the ability to separate track issues from his personal life. This has allowed him to better cope with bad days and maintain a positive attitude. Kraft points out that Wallace has learned that he belongs to the elite and that the team has the potential to compete at the front, even in the face of setbacks. Hamlin has also praised Wallace’s maturity and leadership on the 23XI team. With three races remaining, Wallace is on track for a standout season in the Cup Series, driven by his personal growth and the team’s performance. Wallace has expressed his happiness at having the opportunity to compete and succeed, which allows him to enjoy life and sport more.