INDIANAPOLIS, IN — July 27, 2025 — After a dramatic rain delay and a nail-biting overtime finish, Bubba Wallace finally returned to victory lane on Sunday at one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events — the Brickyard 400 at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Wallace, driving the No. 23 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing, showcased poise, precision, and patience, managing low fuel and high pressure to hold off 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson in the closing laps of the extended race. The win marks Wallace’s first NASCAR Cup Series victory since 2022 and comes at one of the most historic venues in motorsports.
The day was anything but ordinary. After starting second on the grid, Wallace ran strong inside the top five for most of the race. His pace was evident from the early stages, maintaining rhythm and staying in close quarters with the race leaders. On lap 135, race leader Joey Logano suffered a catastrophic right-rear tire failure in Turn 2, handing Wallace the effective race lead.
From there, it looked like Wallace was in control, leading comfortably with under ten laps to go. But the drama was far from over. As the skies darkened over the Brickyard, a sudden and isolated rain shower dampened parts of the 2.5-mile track with just six laps remaining. NASCAR officials red-flagged the race as safety crews worked to dry the slick surface, adding an hour-long delay to the already tense finish.
When racing resumed, the field was bunched up for an overtime restart — setting up a two-lap dash to the checkered flag. Wallace, low on fuel and under heavy pressure from Larson, executed a near-perfect restart, fending off multiple challenges and keeping his car smooth through Turns 3 and 4.
Larson made one final charge down the front stretch, but Wallace held his line and crossed the Yard of Bricks just 0.219 seconds ahead to take the checkered flag. The crowd erupted as Wallace celebrated his first win in nearly three years — and the first Brickyard 400 win for 23XI Racing.
“This one means everything,” Wallace said in Victory Lane, visibly emotional. “We’ve been close so many times. To finally get it done at Indy, of all places — this is unreal. I was running on fumes, but I wasn’t going to lift. I wanted this one bad.”
Team co-owner Denny Hamlin praised Wallace’s performance, calling it “one of the gutsiest drives I’ve seen.” He added, “Fuel was tight, the pressure was intense, and Bubba delivered. This win is huge for our team.”
The victory all but secures Wallace a spot in the 2025 NASCAR Playoffs, injecting fresh momentum into a season that had previously been marked by near-misses and mechanical woes.
With this historic win, Wallace becomes only the second Black driver to win the Brickyard 400, following in the footsteps of NASCAR Hall of Famer Wendell Scott, who won a sanctioned event in 1963 — though not at Indianapolis.
Final Results – Top 5:
- Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing
- Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports
- Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing
- Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing
- Martin Truex Jr. – Joe Gibbs Racing
The NASCAR Cup Series heads next to Michigan International Speedway for another fast, high-stakes showdown as the playoff picture begins to take shape. But for now, Wallace and 23XI Racing will savor a landmark moment — a Brickyard triumph that will go down in the record books.