Bubba Wallace Could Miss Las Vegas Race for Childbirth

23XI Racing has Corey Heim ready to fill in if needed

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:42am

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Bubba Wallace is prepared to miss the upcoming Pennzoil 400 NASCAR race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway if his wife, Amanda, goes into labor with their second child. This reflects a broader shift in NASCAR where drivers are increasingly balancing the demands of the sport with personal commitments, especially family. 23XI Racing has development driver Corey Heim on standby to replace Wallace if needed.

Why it matters

Wallace's decision to prioritize family over racing is part of a growing trend in NASCAR, where drivers are becoming more open about the importance of work-life balance. This shift could lead to more flexible scheduling and increased support for drivers with families, making the sport more family-friendly.

The details

Wallace qualified strongly for the Las Vegas race, starting in 4th place, but remains prepared to step away should his wife go into labor. This is not an isolated incident, as other NASCAR drivers like Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch have also missed races in recent years for the birth of their children. 23XI Racing has a clear contingency plan in place, with development driver Corey Heim ready to fill in for Wallace if needed. Heim's experience with the team should minimize disruption, though a drop-off in performance is often expected when a substitute driver takes the wheel.

  • Wallace qualified for the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15, 2026.
  • The Pennzoil 400 is scheduled for March 30, 2026.

The players

Bubba Wallace

A NASCAR Cup Series driver who races for 23XI Racing.

Amanda Wallace

Bubba Wallace's wife, who is expecting their second child.

Corey Heim

23XI Racing's development driver, who is scheduled to compete in various events for the team in 2026.

Denny Hamlin

A NASCAR Cup Series driver who missed a race in 2025 due to his wife being in labor.

Kyle Busch

A NASCAR Cup Series driver who missed a race in 2022 to be present for the birth of his child.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This situation presents a valuable opportunity for Corey Heim to gain experience in a full-time Cup car, highlighting the importance of strong development programs within NASCAR teams. The trend of drivers prioritizing family is likely to continue, leading to more flexible scheduling and increased support for drivers with families, making NASCAR more family-friendly.