Bubba Wallace “extremely proud” after raising $100K for charity with wife Amanda

There was yet another instance of Bubba Wallace giving back to the community. The 23XI Racing driver was spotted at a fundraiser event alongside his wife Amanda on Monday.

The event, which was a joint venture between Wallace’s Live to be Different Foundation and the partners at the Kevin Harvick Foundation, Truist, NASCAR, Logitech, Toyota, and Del Frisco’s, raised over $100,000. The money will be used to assist the Boys and Girls Club of America to aid in the relief process in Western North Carolina.

As per a statement by Roy Cooper, governor of the state of North Carolina, Hurricane Helen, which struck several areas of western North Carolina in September, was the “deadliest storm” in the state’s history. Besides Wallace, several NASCAR dignitaries like Joey Logano and Greg Biffle have been actively involved in the relief process.

Sharing a few moments from the event on X, Wallace wrote,

“Extremely proud to share that our Live to be Different foundation, alongside the generosity of our friends who joined us on Monday, helped raise over $100K to support the Boys and Girls Club of America for Western North Carolina to aid in their repair and relief efforts. @BGCA_Clubs efforts to empower our youth to reach their full potential is truly invaluable!”

Bubba Wallace finished 18 on points this season. Although winless, the Alabama native bagged a pole, six top-5s and 14 top-10s. Leading a combined 139 laps, Wallace registered an average finish of 15.28.

Bubba Wallace to split with longtime crew chief at 23XI Racing

Bubba Wallace (middle) with one of his crew members and crew chief Bootie Barker (left) during Cup Series practice at Phoenix Raceway. - Source: Imagn

Bubba Wallace signed a contract extension with 23XI Racing that will keep him behind the wheel of the No. 23 Camry in 2025. However, the Toyota pilot will not pair with crew chief Bootie Barker.

Instead, Charles Denike from the No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing team (in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) will fill Barker’s spot. Barker will stay at 23XI Racing and assume a role in the competition leadership.

This came as a surprise for Barker. In a recent interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the 53-year-old said,

“It was a surprise. I talked to Bubba and let’s just speak in generalities right now. Rarely does the crew chief get to set his own timetable or decide how he’s going to go out. It just doesn’t work that way.”

In their three seasons working together, Bubba Wallace and Bootie Barker amassed one win, 33 top-10s, and made the playoffs last year.

“I wasn’t necessarily ready for it somewhat, because when you’ve done this as long as I have, you get a good sense for how it’s going to be, which way the wind is blowing so I can be prepared. So it took me a bit to get my head around it. I won’t lie,” he added.

Wallace is not the only driver from the Toyota camp who’s parting ways with their crew chiefs. Denny Hamlin, who owns 23XI Racing, will also split up with crew chief Chris Gabehart for the upcoming season. Gabehart has been promoted to Joe Gibbs Racing’s competition director while Chris Gayle (crew chief for the No.54 team for the last two seasons) will fill in for him.