23XI Racing announced that Bootie Barker, the longtime crew chief of Bubba Wallace, would be replaced by Charles Denike in 2025. Barker, a well-respected crew chief, who was at the helm of Wallace's wins, would move to the competition leadership team inside the organization.
But this internal shuffle, while it seems natural at first, was one which Larry McReynolds didn't agree with. The veteran crew chief and analyst recently disapproved of Bubba Wallace having a new crew chief in Barker's place and claimed that Barker was handed 'the fall guy' tag for the underwhelming season the #23 team has had.
"Didn't see this one coming. And, you know, the statement I'm gonna make here is no reflection on Charles Denike. Charles has won three races with Christian Eckes this year. More than likely being 38 points above the cut line, probably going to go to Phoenix here in about a week and a half and contend for the Truck Series championship. So this is no reflection on Charles, whatsoever. But I think Bootie Barker is the fall guy. You know, the #23 is not performing. But honestly, they were strong at Miami this past weekend," McReynolds said.
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The analyst mentioned that the #23 qualified in 8th place, and finished second in the first stage of the race. McReynolds spoke about the last 14 races for Bubba Wallace, in which he has scored three top 5s and seven top 10s.
"Bubba Wallace has had — I know he's not been to Victory Lane, but as far as top 5s and top 10s — I think I'm right in saying it's probably been his best year. Bootie was thrust into the crew chief side of things with Bubba, and they went out and won Talladega not long after that," he said.
McReynolds concluded that if 23XI believes Bootie Barker was the problem with the #23 team, then 'woe be onto them' as he disagrees with that notion. Having said that, the analyst clarified that his opinion and views on this subject weren't coming out of his friendship with Barker but from what he saw.
Bubba Wallace is 'a proven winner', as per Bootie Barker in his team-released statement
Bootie Barker, who joined Bubba Wallace's side in September 2021, quickly helped deliver the team's first milestone in NASCAR, their first win at Talladega. Barker was also part of Wallace's second win at Kansas in 2022.
Sharing his thoughts in a team statement after the announcement of him leaving the crew chief role in 2025, Barker remarked that 23XI has been good for him, and hoped he has been as good for his team as well.
"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," he claimed.
The crew chief of Bubba Wallace expressed his excitement for the upcoming season, adding that the #23 driver is 'a proven winner', and that together they'll bring out the best in each other. He thanked Michael Wheeler, Denny Hamlin, and Dave Rogers for giving him the opportunity to join 23XI.
