Bubba Wallace Declares NASCAR Is ‘Scared to Ruffle Any Feathers’ in the Next-Gen Era

23XI Racing star driver Bubba Wallace has given his verdict on NASCAR’s hesitance to make bold decisions regarding the new cars.

Bubba Wallace Declares NASCAR Is ‘Scared to Ruffle Any Feathers’ in the Next-Gen Era

Bubba Wallace (Via Motorcyclesports.net)

23XI Racing’s star driver Bubba Wallace has chimed in on the Next-Gen car horse power debate ahead of the Nashville race weekend and made some bold comments targeting NASCAR. One of the most significant advices he has for the sanctioning body is to increase the horsepower to 750 or more in order to make racing more exciting.

Further talking about the topic, Bubba Wallace detailed the momentum NASCAR has on their side with the new media deals and consistent viewership, making it the perfect opportunity make big decisions. But the leaders of the sport are hesitant to make those changes, as the 23XI Racing driver sees it, they are scared to make big changes.

I’m somewhat talking shit about them [NASCAR] being scared, saying ‘We’ve got momentum on our side,’ so I’m trying to cover my ass! … I think from, I believe all the reports from the first race on Prime [Video] is solid, all the stats, right? Viewership was good. I loved the post-race stuff; that was really cool.

Bubba Wallace said at Nashville.

The sport made its streaming debut last weekend during the Coca-Cola 600 weekend, on Amazon Prime and it was solid. Four of the upcoming races will be exclusively streamed on the platform before HBO MAX taking over the coverage for five more races. The rest of the 2025 season will be broadcasted on TV as usual with NBC Sports.

Wallace highlighted that majority of drivers have been calling for horsepower increase, and NASCAR should give the opportunity have a race with that engine for at least a week. He then pointed out that this might not happen as just as the majority of the society, NASCAR is afraid to get out of their comfort zone and ruffle some features. Taking those risks in the past made stock racing what it is now, and the hesitance is now hurting them.

The number one thing the drivers are saying is ‘horsepower.’ Let’s just follow that, one week, just one week. Then we can go right back to their comfort zone, you know? I think we’re in a spot in society where we’re scared to step out. We don’t want to ruffle any feathers. Well, it’s time to ruffle some feathers, let’s see what we got.

Bubba Wallace added.

Bubba Wallace wants the power back on the hands of NASCAR drivers

Earlier in the same conversation, Bubba Wallace explained how NASCAR has changed with introduction of the Next-Gen cars. The competition at the moment is so close that, there are almost no opportunity to pass in the front in some of the tracks.

Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace (Via IMAGO)

I think that would, you know, put it back in the driver’s hands a lot. That’s what we want. These cars are so close now. Some of these tracks that we go to, the shifting, you know, just deletes the option of passing.

Bubba Wallace said.

The aero factors made teams closer than ever, regardless of their legacy status. Hence there is a need of increasing the hp, to make racing better by making it more old-school like as this change will put racing back into the hands of drivers.

… It’s why teams are getting so much more competitive. Then the gap is decreasing, you know? I think horsepower brings you back to the old school feel. Just puts it back in the drivers’ hands. That’s what we want.

Bubba Wallace added.

The comments from Bubba Wallace seems to be something almost all of his compatriots, barring a few who doesn’t care about the discussion, will agree with. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout regarding the horsepower conversation.

Also Read: Bubba Wallace Urges NASCAR Increase Next-Gen Cars’ Horsepower to “At Least 750 or Higher”