Tempers boiled over at Phoenix Raceway. Though Bubba Wallace was only racing for pride, he once again found himself at the mercy of the No. 23 Toyota’s lingering issues. 23XI Racing is knee-deep in one of the nastiest lawsuit debates, and 2026 is filled with uncertainty. But the team still headed into the weekend with their heads held high.

But emotions ran hot at the 1-mile desert. Frustrated by his car’s recurring problems, Bubba Wallace didn’t hold back on the radio. After a tough qualifying session that left him starting 23rd, he was determined to claw his way forward, but the day had other plans.

Bubba Wallace rants about mechanical problems that derailed his day

The 32-year-old driver was running in 17th place, but things took a different turn on Lap 89. Wallace’s race was cut short due to mechanical trouble. His No. 23 Toyota began slowing down on the track, and his team suspected a throttle issue that compromised his car’s performance. And just a few laps later, things got difficult for the 2025 Brickyard 400 winner.

A very frustrated Bubba Wallace couldn’t help but vent it out. He radioed a very strong, “It’s got half f—ing power. It’s un-F—ING-acceptable! So many F—ING problems with this shit!” Moreover, the 32-year-old driver also admitted that there wasn’t any fuel pressure left in his 23XI Racing car.

Despite trying to stay out and nurse the car, the problem persisted, forcing him to pit on Lap 98 of the race for repairs. That unscheduled stop cost him valuable track position and effectively ended any chance of a strong finish. It capped off a frustrating afternoon that started with some promise but slipped away due to reliability woes and ended his day in 37th place. And at the end of it, Kyle Larson walked home with his second championship title while Ryan Blaney took the checkered flag.

Wallace entered the championship race sitting 10th in the cup standings, bolstered by a sweet victory at the Brickyard 400 in July. His 2025 campaign was a mix of triumphs and frustration, a winner at the marquee venue and strong runs at Talladega and Miami, but countered by DNFs at Atlanta and Pocono and several mid-pack finishes that derailed his playoff push. And as the dust settles on Phoenix for the Alabama native, Wallace has put his foot down on the ongoing NASCAR lawsuit.

Bubba Wallace doesn’t care for the ongoing lawsuit

Bubba Wallace, driver for 23XI Racing, has opened up about his stance on the ongoing antitrust lawsuit, and his response couldn’t be more straightforward. Speaking ahead of the Championship 4 weekend, Wallace made it clear that he’s tuning out the legal noise to stay focused on racing and family.

In an interview with journalist Matt Weaver, Wallace dismissed concerns about the lawsuit or its potential impact on his future with the team, saying he prefers to live in the moment rather than worry about what’s ahead.

He said, “Honestly, they send out talking points every week, and I never read them because I can honestly tell you I could give two shits. That’s it. And y’all can call me crazy for not giving a damn about my future, but why are you worried about what’s down the road when you can’t even focus on what’s right in front of ya?”

As for his current focus, Wallace said it’s all about family and performance. He added, “That’s the one I’m focused on right now. Whether that is taking care of my kid or going out to qualify here, as lately I’ve stuck with qualifying so need to figure it all out and not worry about lawsuits. I genuinely don’t give a damn.” 

The 23XI driver’s remarks come as he wraps up a solid 2025 campaign, one that saw him reach the playoffs and advance through two rounds before missing the Round of 8. For now, as the post-season approaches, Wallace may be disappointed with his finish, but a new opportunity arises for the 32-year-old driver as the lawsuit hangs in the balance.