23XI Racing names 2025 crew chief for Bubba Wallace, moves Bootie Barker to new role

23XI Racing announced Wednesday that Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 team will have a new crew chief in 2025.

Bootie Barker, Wallace’s crew chief since September 2021, will move to a new role within 23XI. He will continue to work with the competition leadership team at Airspeed, the team’s facility in Huntersville, North Carolina, following the season finale at Phoenix on Nov. 10. Charles Denike, current crew chief for Christian Eckes and the No. 19 team in the NASCAR Truck Series, will sit atop the pit box for Wallace next season.

23XI announced that veteran crew chief Bootie Barker will move to a new role within 23XI and continue to work with the competition leadership team at Airspeed following the season finale. Charles Denike, current crew chief of the No. 19 team in the Truck Series, will take over… pic.twitter.com/dNTLFFc4NM

— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) October 30, 2024

Barker took over as Wallace’s crew chief after 23XI promoted Mike Wheeler to director of competition. Barker earned his win as a Cup Series crew chief when Wallace won the rain-shortened YellaWood 500 at Talladega in October 2021. The duo won their second race together at Kansas in September 2022, this time donning the No. 45.

Wallace made the playoffs for the first time in his career last season, finishing 10th in the points standings. After failing to make the postseason this year, 23XI has opted to bring in a new voice to the No. 23 team.

“23XI has been good to me, and I hope I have been as good for 23XI,” Barker said in a statement. “Loyalty is important to me, and I will continue to do all I can in my new role to help everyone here succeed. I was fortunate to be a part of 23XI’s inception, and I look forward to being a part of the team’s continued journey.”

Bubba Wallace getting new crew chief for 2025 season

Denike makes the move to Cup Series competition following five seasons serving as a crew chief in the Truck Series. The last two have been with Eckes, who finished fifth in the points standings last season, and is a playoff driver once again in 2024. Denike has nine wins in the Truck Series.

“I am excited for the 2025 season with the No. 23 team and to work with Bubba and all of 23XI Racing beginning in the offseason,” Denike said. “Bubba is a proven winner, and I believe we will bring out the best in each other. Thank you to Michael [Wheeler], Denny [Hamlin], and Dave [Rogers] for the opportunity to join the 23XI family. They have built an incredible culture at Airspeed.

“I am a believer that winning is a process. When you step foot into Airspeed, you see the tools and resources that it takes to win and are surrounded by people with the same vision and mindset. I am looking forward to this next chapter and to be able to contribute to 23XI’s growth and journey to winning championships.”