On Tuesday, 23XI Racing announced the addition of the U.S. Air Force to the team's family of partners for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. The Air Force will serve as a primary sponsorship partner for Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE team in several races during the upcoming season.
The move realigns Wallace and the USAF. Wallace carried the USAF colors in five races back in his stint with Richard Petty Motorsports from 2018 to 2020.
For Wallace, partnering with the U.S. Air Force again in 2024 is very special.
“It’s really special to once again be partnered with the men and women who make up the United States Air Force,” said Wallace in a team press release. “My previous experience with the folks from the Air Force was awesome and I had the chance to meet a lot of great Airmen who do some amazing things each and every day. I’m looking forward to welcoming them to 23XI and showing them what we’re all about as we work together to try and accomplish the impossible.”
The chance to work with a top-notch race team, and to be teamed with Wallace yet again was an opportunity too good for the U.S. Air Force to pass up.
“We are thrilled to enter into this new partnership with 23XI Racing, and to once again have Bubba Wallace as our Air Force driver. This dynamic and iconic organization shares our commitment to excellence, speed, and teamwork, along with winning,” said Brigadier General Christopher Amrhein, AFRS commander. “This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity for us to connect with millions of passionate NASCAR fans and showcase the power and capabilities of the Air Force. Together, we will soar to new heights and inspire the next generation of Airmen leaders and innovators. Buckle up, because this partnership is set to accelerate our shared mission of excellence on and off the track.”
23XI Racing and the Air Force will do everything in their power to help make the partnership successful for all entities on the track as well as away from the track.
“The Air Force and 23XI recognize that teamwork is the most critical component in achieving success,” said Steve Lauletta, 23XI team president. “We look forward to moving forward together to achieve our collective goals both on the track and in the broader community.”
In addition to the multi-race primary sponsorship, 23XI Racing and Wallace will host the public and Airmen at races throughout the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule. According to a press release, the goal for this initiative is to highlight the excitement of NASCAR as well as the many ways in which careers and roles in the Air Force correspond to those at 23XI and in motorsports.
The U.S. Air Force has been a primary sponsor in NASCAR since 2001, and will keep the streak going for the 24th consecutive season.
In 2023, Wallace enjoyed the most consistent season of his NASCAR Cup Series career. While he didn't score a victory, Wallace matched his career-best totals for top-fives (five) and top-10s (10) in a season, and he worked his way into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for the first time in his career.
Wallace looks to score a third career win and second career Playoff berth in 2024.
Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett, LAT Images, Courtesy of Toyota Racing
