23XI Racing makes “hard decision” to replace Bubba Wallace’s crew chief Bootie Barker for 2025
Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing seems to have a big decision to replace their crew chief for the 2025 Cup season.
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Bubba Wallace and Bootie Barker
The 2024 NASCAR Cup season has been tough for Bubba Wallace. He failed to make into the playoffs over his winless streak, while his teammate made it into the championship-4 securing multiple wins. Now going into the 2024 season, the team has decided to make a reorganization of the No:23 Toyota team.
The current crew chief Bootie Barker will be moved to another role in the competition side of the 23XI Racing, at Airspeed, their headquarters. Charles Denike, who is currently the crew chief of the No. 19 truck team at McAnally-Hilgemann Racing will take over the role in the 2025 season. It will mark the Cup debut of Denike.
Bubba Wallace, in a statement released by 23XI Racing, talked about the contribution and support from Barker, helping him secure his two wins in the Cup series. He admitted that the decision was pretty tough on 23XI. Wallace is excited to work with Denike and is looking forward to accomplishing together in the top tier.
Bootie has meant a lot to me and the No. 23 team. We’ve been together for some special moments, and I’m glad he’s still going to be a part of what we’re building at 23XI. I know this wasn’t an easy decision, but I’m excited to work with Charles and see what we can accomplish together.
Bubba Wallace said via a statement.
23XI announced that veteran crew chief Bootie Barker will move to a new role within 23XI and continue to work with the competition leadership team at Airspeed following the season finale. Charles Denike, current crew chief of the No. 19 team in the Truck Series, will take over… pic.twitter.com/dNTLFFc4NM
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) October 30, 2024
Bootie Barker profess his loyalty to 23XI Racing
While talking about his career change, Barker pointed out that loyalty has been really important for him and asserted that he will continue to do everything to help the teams succeed, as they always been great for him. He is looking forward to continuing the great journey with Michael Jordan’s team.
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 to help everyone here succeed in my new role. I was fortunate to be a part of the 23XI’s inception, and I look forward to being a part of the team’s continued journey.
Bootie Barker said.
He pointed out that he feels happy and proud to have been part of Bubba Wallace first win back in 2021 at Talladega. Barker believes there is more wins coming for the No:23 team and is determined to support the team.
I’m fortunate to have been at 23XI when the doors opened, and I’m proud to have been a part of the team and Bubba’s first win. I know there are more wins to come with the No. 23 team and I’m eager to support them and the whole organization in our work to be a top-tier race team.
Bootie Barker added.
The 23XI Racing team is making some big changes despite the fact that they don’t have charter guaranteed for the 2025 season, owing the charter wars and the lawsuit. But the decision from the team suggest they are hopeful of finding a good solution.
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Justin P Joy
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