23XI Racing announces new crew chief for Bubba Wallace in 2025

23XI Racing have announced a new Crew Chief for Bubba Wallace for the 2025 Cup Series season. The Denny Hamlin-owned team have appointed Charles Denike, who is currently working as the crew chief for Christian Eckes in the NASCAR Camping Truck Series.

23XI have made some significant changes for the upcoming season. They put Bootie Barker, the current Crew Chief of Wallace's #23 in a new role within the team. However, he will continue to work with Wallace for the final two races of the season at Martinsville and Phoenix.

Denike is all set to join 23XI Racing and Wallace after working with several NASCAR teams across different series such as K&N Pro Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series. Prior to his move to NASCAR, he served nine years as an engineer in the United States Army.

"Bubba Wallace to have new crew chief next year. Charles Denike, who is crew chief for Christian Eckes in trucks, will be his crew chief. Bootie Barker remains with 23XI as part of the competition leadership team at the shop," Bob Pockrass wrote on X, sharing the news.

Here's what Denike said with regard to the new role:

“I am excited for the 2025 season with the No. 23 team and to work with Bubba and all of 23XI Racing beginning in the offseason. Bubba is a proven winner, and I believe we will bring out the best in each other. Thank you to Michael, Denny, and Dave (Rogers, competition director) for the opportunity to join the 23XI family."

Denike worked with Precision Performance Motorsports, and GMS Racing, and finally moved to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in 2022 to become the crew chief of #19 Truck. As he gears up to work with Bubba Wallace in 2025, this will be his first Cup Series experience.

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Bubba Wallace's Crew Chief shared his reaction on new role

NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) with crew chief Bootie Barker of 23XI Racing during Cup Series practice at Phoenix Raceway (Image via Imagn Images)

Following the announcement of his new role at 23XI Racing, Bootie Barker shared his thoughts and stated that loyalty was important to him. Here's what he said as per 23XI's press release:

"23XI has been good to me, and I hope I have been as good for 23XI. Loyalty is important to me and I will continue to do all I can in my new role to help everyone here succeed. I was fortunate to be a part of 23XI’s inception, and I look forward to being a part of the team’s continued journey.”

According to the reports, Barker's primary role next season would be to prepare cars and race strategies. For this, his base would be at Airspeed, the state-of-the-art headquarters of 23XI Racing.