“I talked to him before”: Bubba Wallace’s former crew chief breaks silence following his 23XI Racing split

Bubba Wallace's now-former crew chief Bootie Barker broke silence over the internal swap as the team replaced him with Charles Denike for the 2025 season. Barker revealed that the decision came down as a surprise to him.

He claimed that he spoke to Bubba Wallace before the announcement was made, further mentioning that a crew chief rarely gets to decide when they will part ways with the driver.

"I won't lie, it was a surprise. It was a surprise," Barker said. "And I think that, but I will say this. I talked to Bubba before, and I know that in Larry, we can mean you both know, as a crew chief, let's just speak in generalities right now, rarely does a crew chief get to set his own timetable or decide how he's gonna go out, or it's just some look at way."

He further supported his statement by giving Richard Petty and Dale Inman's example. Barker stated that it is quite common for crew chiefs to be split apart from their drivers without enough cause.

"If you think about it too, I think Richard Petty and Dale Inman eventually, now I heard them talking about one time, it was more of a family issue maybe, or I don't know what it was, but even they separated at some point. And that's not the same type of deal, but my point is it just doesn't, usually for crew chiefs, is you don't, that's just part of the game. It's what's to be expected."

Bootie Barker is still with 23XI Racing. He was given a different role at Airspeed, the team's headquarters in Huntersville, North Carolina.

He will be replaced by Charles Denike, who is joining the crew after gaining experience with Christian Eckes as his crew chief in the NASCAR Truck Series. Although this replacement could bring a positive change to both 23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace's performance, NASCAR claims the team gave him the "fall guy" card.

---

NASCAR analyst claims Bubba Wallace's performance improved after Miami, Barker given "fall guy" card

It is apparent that the structural change at 23XI Racing occurred after Bubba Wallace failed to qualify for the playoffs. Although he did not win a race throughout the 2024 Cup Series season, he was confident in making the cutline solely on points. However, he failed to do that and Bootie Barker was replaced shortly after.

Former NASCAR crew chief and analyst Larry McReynolds reviewed the situation and claimed that Barker was the scapegoat in the situation. Although he mentioned that Charles Denike comes across as a strong crew chief for Wallace, the team gave Barker the fall guy card. He also claimed that their performance was strong in Miami.

"Didn't see this one coming," McReynolds said. "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, Danielle, they were strong at Miami this past weekend."

23XI Racing is witnessing quite a few changes alongside Bubba Wallace's crew chief. The team is to add a third charter that will be piloted by Riley Herbst. The 2025 season could witness huge positives for the crew.