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Bubba Wallace 2025 Wins Historic Brickyard 400
Jul
Bubba Wallace Wins Historic Brickyard 400, Becomes First Black Driver to Win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
INDIANAPOLIS – Bubba Wallace made history on Sunday by winning the Brickyard 400, becoming the first Black driver to win a major race on the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval. The emotional and dramatic victory marks a milestone moment in NASCAR history and a career-defining win for Wallace.
Wallace Conquers Weather, Fuel Concerns, and Kyle Larson to Claim Victory
The 31-year-old driver of the No. 23 car, racing for 23XI Racing (co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin), overcame multiple challenges including:
- An 18-minute rain delay
- Two intense overtime restarts
- Fuel strategy fears
- Pressure from defending champion Kyle Larson
Wallace held his composure through every twist, delivering a strong finish just 0.222 seconds ahead of Larson. The win ends a 100-race drought and secures his first-ever playoff berth in the NASCAR Cup Series since his previous win at Kansas in 2022. Wallace also won at Talladega in 2021.
“Coming off Turn 4, I knew I was going to get there — unless we ran out of gas,” Wallace said. “I was surprised I wasn’t crying like a baby.”
First Crown Jewel Victory for Wallace
The Brickyard 400 win is Wallace’s first victory in NASCAR’s four crown jewel events – a prestigious group that includes the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500, and now the Brickyard. Beating Kyle Larson, one of the best drivers in the field, made the moment even sweeter.
“To beat the best, we had to be the best today,” Wallace shared.
Race Day Drama and Strategy
With just six laps remaining, Wallace’s comfortable lead shrank after a yellow flag due to rain. A second crash led to another overtime and put Wallace’s fuel strategy to the test. Despite uncertainty, he chose to stay out, believing he could finish strong – and he did.
Strong Weekend for 23XI Racing
Wallace’s win provides a major boost to 23XI Racing, a team currently in a legal battle with NASCAR over its charter status. With co-owner Denny Hamlin winning the previous race, the back-to-back wins affirm the team’s competitive edge.
Ty Gibbs Wins In-Season Challenge for $1 Million Prize
While Wallace stole the spotlight at the Brickyard, Ty Gibbs won the inaugural NASCAR In-Season Challenge, a tournament-style competition inspired by March Madness. Gibbs finished 21st in the race, outperforming Ty Dillon to take home the $1 million prize, a championship belt, and a custom ring.
“They brought me money guns, and they jammed, so I just started throwing money to the fans,” Gibbs said. “It was awesome.”
Key Takeaways:
- Bubba Wallace wins Brickyard 400, becoming the first Black driver to win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- Marks his third career NASCAR Cup Series win and first in a crown jewel race.
- 23XI Racing celebrates major back-to-back wins.
- Ty Gibbs wins the $1M In-Season Challenge in a thrilling side competition.
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