The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season will mark a significant change for Bubba Wallace as he transitions to working with a new crew chief, Charles Denike, replacing Bootie Barker. Barker has been a central figure at the helm of the No. 23 team since 2021, guiding Wallace to his first Cup Series win and a playoff berth in 2023. Despite their shared successes, the shift signals a fresh chapter for Wallace as he strives to match the achievements of his teammate Tyler Reddick in the coming season.
Background on Charles Denike
Charles Denike brings a wealth of NASCAR experience to his new role. His career began at Wood Brothers Racing, where he honed his skills in car setups and race strategies. He later served as a team manager for Precision Performance Motorsports, overseeing operations in the K&N Pro Series East and Xfinity Series. During this tenure, Denike gained his first experience as a crew chief before transitioning to GMS Racing in 2016.
At GMS Racing, Denike worked as a race engineer and eventually took on full-time crew chief responsibilities in 2020, leading three different Truck Series teams to two victories. In 2022, he joined McAnally-Hilgemann Racing as the crew chief for the No. 19 truck, securing the team’s first win and playoff berth. Now at 42, Denike will step into his first Cup Series crew chief role with 23XI Racing in 2025.
Wallace’s 2023 and 2024 Performances
Bubba Wallace had a career breakthrough in 2023, making the playoffs for the first time. Although he didn’t secure a win that season, consistent performances helped him finish 10th in the driver standings—a significant leap from his 19th-place finish the previous year. However, the momentum didn’t carry into 2024. Despite achieving six top-five finishes, Wallace missed the playoffs while his teammate, Tyler Reddick, reached the Championship 4.
Interestingly, Wallace still managed to outperform Reddick in playoff points, securing 259 compared to Reddick’s 247. Wallace also earned four top-10 finishes during the playoffs, one more than Reddick. Despite these accomplishments, Reddick’s win at Homestead propelled him to the Championship 4, underscoring the inconsistency that led to the crew chief change for Wallace.
Bootie Barker’s New Role
Though Barker is stepping down as Wallace’s crew chief, he remains a part of the 23XI Racing organization. He will take on a leadership role focused on competition within the team, contributing his expertise behind the scenes. Barker expressed his gratitude for his time as Wallace’s crew chief and his commitment to the team’s success, emphasizing loyalty and a continued desire to help 23XI Racing grow.
Expectations for 2025
Charles Denike is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the No. 23 team. His recent success with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, where he helped Christian Eckes secure seven victories and the 2024 Truck Series regular-season points title, highlights his potential as a transformative leader. The 23XI Racing leadership, including Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, hopes that Denike’s approach will help Wallace regain consistency and competitiveness.
Denike expressed enthusiasm for his new role, stating that he looks forward to working with Wallace and contributing to 23XI’s culture of excellence. He acknowledged Wallace’s proven talent and expressed confidence in their ability to succeed together in 2025 and beyond.
This new partnership represents a pivotal moment for both Wallace and 23XI Racing as they aim to build on past successes and close the gap with the sport’s elite competitors.