NASCAR: 3 lessons learned from Bubba Wallace’s first win

Lesson No. 2: 23XI Racing, Bubba Wallace have a foundation to build on

Now that Bubba Wallace and 23XI Racing have earned their first Cup series win, they have the foundation to build on in order to finish out the 2021 season strong. They should also have momentum heading into 2022.

While it might not be the goal of two wins and a playoff berth that Wallace and 23XI Racing had set for themselves at the beginning of the season, the infamous quote from Michael Jordan about “not signing checks for losers” no longer applies to Wallace.

Additionally, in a sport where sponsorship is key, Wallace already holds partnerships with Dr. Pepper, Columbia Sportswear and DraftKings, among others. Now that he is a winner in the Cup Series, this will only adds to his sponsorship draw.

Interestingly enough, Wallace broke an almost three-decade long drought for McDonald’s, the primary sponsor on his #23 Toyota for the win.

A McDonald’s-sponsored car hadn’t won in NASCAR since 1994 when Jimmy Spencer won at Daytona International Speedway. Wallace broke that drought and even received recognition for it from McDonald’s on social media.

If sponsorship and winning do not sound important enough, look at Wood Brothers Racing’s Matt DiBenedetto. DiBenedetto might have solid finishes, but he doesn’t have any wins or sponsorship to speak of.

Sponsorship is something DiBenedetto recently acknowledged in an interview with SiriusXM, saying, “you’re nothing without your partners, sponsors, and those folks backing you.” 

Wood Brothers Racing’s sponsors aren’t his, and with his 2022 replacement, Harrison Burton, having Xfinity Series wins and sponsorship from DEX Imaging, it’s clear to see why he lost his ride. In Wallace’s case, he no longer has to worry about either one, and he could secure his future with 23XI Racing.