August 31, 2022 | By Lee Spencer

Bubba Wallace to pilot No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing in the Playoffs

23XI Racing is putting its best foot forward—or at least its best shoe.

On Wednesday, the company announced a change of car/team numbers. With Kurt Busch unable to compete in the Playoffs because of injury, Bubba Wallace will be behind the wheel of the No. 45 Toyota to run for the NASCAR Cup Owners' Championship.

Wallace will move to the No. 45 Toyota starting this weekend at Darlington Raceway for the first round of the postseason. Bootie Barker will continue as Wallace's crew chief.

“After consulting with NASCAR, we made this decision in the best interest of the entire organization and for all our employees who helped earn a spot in the playoffs for the Owner’s Championship through their hard work,” said team president Steve Lauletta. “While Ty has done a great job for us in the No. 45 car, we feel that Bubba’s experience in this car, at the upcoming playoff tracks and his recent momentum will give 23XI the best chance at maximizing our points each weekend. We recognize that this is a unique opportunity in the Cup Series, and we’re grateful to our employees and partners for standing with the team and supporting this decision.”

Initially, 23XI Racing applied for and received a medical waiver for Kurt Busch, who joined the organization when they expanded to two teams at the start of 2022. Busch was injured during a qualifying accident at Pocono Raceway on July 23. The former Cup champion has been sidelined from racing with concussion symptoms ever since.

The No. 45 team becomes the first in the modern era to run solely for the Cup Owners' championship and not both titles.

Wallace was the first driver selected to drive for 23XI when the team debuted in 2021. The 28-year-old racer scored the organization’s first win 31 races in at Talladega Superspeedway. The victory marked the first for Wallace, who is currently in his fifth full season on the Cup tour.

On August 12, 23XI announced a contract extension for Wallace. Behind the wheel of the No. 23 Toyota, Wallace is 20th in the standings with four top fives, six top 10s, and a pole at Michigan. Wallace finished second in the Wolverine State, tying a season-best second-place finish in the Daytona 500. 

Ty Gibbs will continue in his substitute role until Busch is cleared to return to competition. He will drive the No. 23 Toyota Wallace piloted during the regular season. Billy Scott will continue in his role as crew chief.