Bubba Wallace etched his name in NASCAR history on Sunday, July 27, 2025, with a thrilling victory in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Wallace, driving the No. 23 Toyota for 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, became the first African American driver to win on the famed 2.5-mile oval.
The victory was hard-earned, as Wallace had to overcome a late rain delay, navigate two dramatic overtime restarts, and manage concerns about fuel. He held off a hard-charging Kyle Larson, the 2024 Brickyard 400 winner, by a mere 0.222 seconds to secure the historic win. This triumph marked Wallace's first win of the season, his first at Indianapolis, and the third of his Cup Series career. It also ended a 100-race winless streak dating back to September 2022.
Wallace led three times for a total of 23 laps in the 168-lap race, which was extended due to the overtime finishes. A brief rain shower with four laps remaining in the originally scheduled 160 laps halted the race, erasing Wallace's multi-second lead and setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Despite the pressure, Wallace maintained his composure and executed flawless restarts in both overtimes to fend off Larson.
"Oh my gosh, man, just so proud of this team," Wallace said after the race. "That adrenaline rush is crazy... To overcome so much and to put these people here in Victory Lane, that's what it's about. It's about these people that continue to push at me, believe in me. Man, just so proud, and I appreciate all you guys. Unbelievable to win here at the Brickyard knowing how big this race is".
The victory secures Wallace a spot in the Cup Series Playoffs. Denny Hamlin finished third, climbing from his 39th and last starting position. Ryan Preece finished fourth, and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top five. Ty Gibbs finished 21st, enough to claim the $1 million prize in the final round of the inaugural In-Season Challenge tournament.
Wallace's journey to this historic win has been one of perseverance and breaking barriers. He has been the only full-time African American driver in NASCAR's top three national series for several years. Wallace's win is not only a personal achievement but also a significant moment for NASCAR, highlighting the sport's increasing commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The race also saw Chase Briscoe win the pole position. Ryan Blaney won Stage 2.
The top 10 finishers were:
Wallace's Brickyard 400 victory will be remembered as a landmark moment in NASCAR history, solidifying his place among the sport's top drivers and inspiring a new generation of racers.
