Bubba Wallace adds the ultimate NASCAR trophy piece as Denny Hamlin sends the first Cup win car to his home garage

Bubba Wallace has added the most meaningful centerpiece of his NASCAR career to his personal racing collection after his boss Denny Hamlin delivered his very first NASCAR Cup Series race-winning car to his home garage.

The car is the same #23 Toyota Camry that he drove to victory lane in a rain-shortened race at Talladega Superspeedway in 2021, a win that secured his place in NASCAR history. The 2021 YellaWood 500 event marked Bubba Wallace’s first Cup win and a landmark moment for the sport, as he became only the second Black driver to win at NASCAR’s top-tier series.

The emotional weight of the victory, achieved on one of the sport’s most iconic tracks, made the #23 car far more than just a race machine. That moment changed the trajectory of his NASCAR career.

23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin ensured the delivery of the car to Wallace. The gesture reflects the deep bond formed between driver and team since the organization’s inception in 2021. From its first race in 2021 to becoming a consistent playoff contender, 23XI Racing has grown alongside Wallace’s career, making the Talladega win the foundation on which everything was built.

The delivery of the #23 Talladega win car was shared through a special video on Wallace’s YouTube channel, giving fans an inside look at a moment that will live forever in his racing journey.

“This was the last year we ran this car. I asked Denny as well, ‘Hey, since we're not going to be using this car anymore, can I have it once my house is built?’ Denny, his reply was, he's a car guy himself. He loves having his race cars, so he approved of it. So, I appreciate that, Denny. This is super cool,” Wallace said in the video.

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“Looking at the car obviously brings back a lot of memories”: Bubba Wallace

Bubba Wallace etched his name into NASCAR history on October 4, 2021, by earning his first-ever NASCAR Cup victory at Talladega.

The 32-year-old Mobile, Alabama, native had worked his way into contention late by taking the lead when rain began to fall over Talladega. As weather conditions worsened and visibility dropped, NASCAR was forced to halt the race. After another shower thwarted track-drying attempts, the race was called official and declared Wallace as the winner.

Reflecting on the winning moment, Wallace, in his YouTube video, said:

“It still has a 4-year odor of champagne and beer and good times. So, lovely. Just looking at the car obviously brings back a lot of memories. I remember vividly Booty saying, "All right, you can go now." when it was time to go from wherever we were 22nd 25th to the lead and uh how I got my first Mickey Mouse win because of the rain."

Bubba Wallace has managed to earn three wins, 60 top-10 finishes, and three poles in 291 NASCAR Cup Series races so far in his career.