Last weekend’s race at Kansas witnessed Bubba Wallace and the 23XI Racing team on the cusp of victory, but the outcome was a tough pill to swallow for the team and ringmaster, Michael Jordan. With the first playoff elimination race of 2023 looming ahead, the pressure is skyrocketing to new peaks in order to secure a spot in the playoffs round of 12. In a sport ruled by uncertainty, the drivers in the cutoff bubble are all under threat, and Bristol is shaping up to be a last-chance showdown for those below the cutline to snatch a playoff berth. Wallace finds himself among those drivers aiming for a breakthrough.

However, the buzz in the 23XI garage ahead of Bristol is not centered on playoff drama. Instead, it’s tied to whispers about a certain “I’m loving it” brand. Could there be a sponsorship surprise in store for Bubba Wallace and his team?

The anticipation of the NASCAR crowd has reached its adrenaline-filled peak as the remaining races of the 2023 season draw near. However, leading up to Bristol, the 23XI garage is abuzz with palpable excitement as the team unveils a new paint job for Wallace. As is customary, the shenanigans surrounding the unveiling were as grand as ever, engaging fans in deciding the final paint job decision.

Wallace’s primary sponsor this year, McDonald’s, created three paint jobs, all inspired by their media franchise and fictional fantasy characters: Grimace, Birdie, and Hamburglar. Fans were asked to vote from the three liveries, and the Grimace livery, featuring a striking purple paint job, won the poll by a leap. It captured the hearts of fans and took the NASCAR scene by storm. This striking livery is set to grace the tracks this year at Homestead, where Wallace will trade car number 23’s signature red and yellow colors for an all-over purple.