Bubba Wallace can have a brand new crew chief starting in 2025 as Bootie Barker strikes into a distinct position inside 23XI Racing.
Barker will name the ultimate two NASCAR Cup Sequence races for the No. 23 staff at Martinsville Speedway (Nov. 3) and Phoenix Raceway (Nov. 10) earlier than transitioning to competitors management to arrange vehicles and strategize races. The position might be based mostly at Airspeed.
Charles Denike will assume the crew chief position for Wallace. Denike will be a part of 23XI Racing from McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, the place he oversees the No. 19 staff for Christian Eckes within the Craftsman Truck Sequence.
“Since becoming a member of 23XI, Bootie has supplied Bubba and the No. 23 crew with the management and confidence they wanted to develop into the staff they’re at this time,” mentioned Dave Rogers, 23XI Director of Competitors. “As we started to stay up for subsequent season, we determined that Bootie’s expertise would finest serve the group in a distinct position based mostly at Airspeed. His enter will proceed to be an asset to our groups.
“We’re excited to welcome Charles to the group and look ahead to getting began with him on the finish of the season. He might be a terrific addition to the No. 23 staff and 23XI as we proceed to work to be higher.”
Wallace and Barker had been paired late within the 2021 season and gained collectively at Talladega Superspeedway. Not solely was it Wallace’s first profession win, nevertheless it was the primary for 23XI Racing in its debut season. The 2 gained their second race at Kansas Speedway within the fall of 2022.
Barker can have known as 593 races within the Cup Sequence after the season finale.
“Bootie has meant loads to me and the No. 23 staff,” Wallace mentioned. “We’ve been collectively for some particular moments, and I’m glad he’s nonetheless going to be part of what we’re constructing at 23XI. I’m excited to work with Charles and see what we are able to accomplish collectively.”
Denike has guided Eckes to seven wins since being paired collectively in 2023. They completed fifth within the championship standings and returned to assert the common season championship this 12 months. The 2 wish to earn a spot within the championship race throughout Friday evening’s elimination race at Martinsville Speedway.
The 2025 season would be the first time Denike has been a crew chief on the Cup Sequence degree.
“I’m excited for the 2025 season with the No. 23 staff and to work with Bubba and all of 23XI Racing starting within the offseason,” Denike mentioned. “Bubba is a confirmed winner, and I consider we are going to deliver out the perfect in one another. Thanks to Michael [Jordan] Denny [Hamlin], and Dave for the chance to hitch the 23XI household. They’ve constructed an unimaginable tradition at Airspeed.
“I’m a believer that successful is a course of. Once you step foot into Airspeed, you see the instruments and sources that it takes to win and are surrounded by individuals with the identical imaginative and prescient and mindset. I’m trying ahead to this subsequent chapter and to have the ability to contribute to 23XI’s development and journey to successful championships.”
