Last weekend’s race at Kansas witnessed Bubba Wallace and the 23XI Racing team on the cusp of victory, but the outcome was a tough pill to swallow for the team and ringmaster, Michael Jordan. With the first playoff elimination race of 2023 looming ahead, the pressure is skyrocketing to new peaks in order to secure a spot in the playoffs round of 12. In a sport ruled by uncertainty, the drivers in the cutoff bubble are all under threat, and Bristol is shaping up to be a last-chance showdown for those below the cutline to snatch a playoff berth. Wallace finds himself among those drivers aiming for a breakthrough.

However, the buzz in the 23XI garage ahead of Bristol is not centered on playoff drama. Instead, it’s tied to whispers about a certain “I’m loving it” brand. Could there be a sponsorship surprise in store for Bubba Wallace and his team?

Purple reigns as Bubba Wallace’s Grimace livery is set to hit Homestead

The anticipation of the NASCAR crowd has reached its adrenaline-filled peak as the remaining races of the 2023 season draw near. However, leading up to Bristol, the 23XI garage is abuzz with palpable excitement as the team unveils a new paint job for Wallace. As is customary, the shenanigans surrounding the unveiling were as grand as ever, engaging fans in deciding the final paint job decision.

Wallace’s primary sponsor this year, McDonald’s, created three paint jobs, all inspired by their media franchise and fictional fantasy characters: Grimace, Birdie, and Hamburglar. Fans were asked to vote from the three liveries, and the Grimace livery, featuring a striking purple paint job, won the poll by a leap. It captured the hearts of fans and took the NASCAR scene by storm. This striking livery is set to grace the tracks this year at Homestead, where Wallace will trade car number 23’s signature red and yellow colors for an all-over purple.

As if this surprise wasn’t enough, an Instagram story shared on the 23XI team‘s social media handle featured McDonald’s takeout boxes ready to serve the 23XI garage crew, a delightful treat for the hardworking crew. And, of course, displayed on the table was Tyler Reddick’s Hollywood Casino 400 winner’s trophy, adding an extra layer of excitement to the festivities.

From high hopes to hard hits – Wallace’s ride in bold black and gold

The recent paint job reveal for Wallace at Kansas Speedway wasn’t the first time he’s undergone such a grand transformation. However, memories of the last switch from the iconic Ronald McDonald colors still linger, as that race ended in disappointment. The Kansas race was a departure from the classic look, as Wallace showcased a new sponsor for his Toyota – Columbia Omni-HeatTM. True to his style, the livery featured a striking black and gold paint job, which drew mixed reactions from fans but undeniably stood out from the usual.

The 23XI Instagram account unveiled the new design with the caption, “@BubbaWallace and @23xiracing look to bring the heat to Kansas Speedway this Sunday in the bold and gold Columbia Omni-Heat™ Infinity No. 23 Toyota Camry TRD.” However, Wallace’s excitement behind this black-gold paint scheme saw the highs of the Himalayas and the lows of the Mariana Trench. A strong stint at Kansas was what seemed likely for Jordan’s prodigy, but come lap 108, it was a reversal of everything up until that point. A blown tire and contact with the outside wall saw Wallace relegated to the back after running for the race contention at P2.

Post-race a dejected Wallace lamented, “I got loose like 5 laps before but I realized that was kind of like my line and my approach to exit turn 4, and then 3 or 4 laps later it blew out. No indication going into one so I’m pi**ed at myself that I wasn’t closer to the fence.” 

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With a striking new livery set to hit the tracks come Homestead, Wallace will be hoping for better fortunes and to still be running in the playoffs, turning this season’s twist of fate into a triumphant tale.