Bubba Wallace finished in sixth place in the Cracker Barrel 400. Bubba and Amanda Wallace welcomed their first child in September of last year. Wallace shared with the post-race show panel that “having a kid changes your life.”

This week the NASCAR Cup Series rolled into Music City for the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway. While Ryan Blaney took the checkered flag Sunday night, another driver’s unexpected, emotional post-race moment is what has people talking.

Bubba Wallace finished in sixth place in Sunday night’s race and stopped by the post-race show set to talk about it with the Prime Video crew Danielle Trotta, Carl Edwards, and Corey LaJoie.

Wallace’s impressive top-ten finish comes after several frustrating weeks of finishing outside of the top 30. With just 11 races left for drivers to make the playoffs, every little bit of momentum and points earned per race finish placement helps. This sixth place finish could be what Wallace needs to turn his season around and give him a chance to win a championship.

When asked about finding support when going through a difficult moment, Wallace was briefly overcome with emotion. “The biggest part, and it's incredible. I wish everyone could experience it but having a kid changes your life,” he said.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Carl Edwards let out a knowing laugh as he patted Wallace on the shoulder and said “Amen.” Edwards famously walked away from racing when he was at the height of sport in 2017, in large part to be more present for his own two children. It was clear in his reaction, he understood the emotions Wallace is just beginning to experience. Wallace and his wife Amanda welcomed their first child, a son named Becks Hayden on September 29, 2024.

Trotta followed up by asking how becoming a father has motivated or changed him and Wallace answered, “That’s the biggest support system. He’s 8 months, he doesn’t know what’s going on but he’s excited to see me every time.”

The driver of the number 23 car for 23XI Racing became visibly emotional from this discussion and briefly became too overwhelmed to speak as he wiped tears from his face. Edwards again comforted him and said “Aw buddy, that is beautiful to hear a father share that. Thank you. Thank you for sharing that with us.”

With a quick sip of a beverage and a handshake and words of encouragement from his pal Corey LaJoie, Wallace is able to regain composure as they close out the segment. Wallace and the whole field of drivers head to Michigan this week. Maybe we’ll all get to see little Becks in Dad’s arms in Victory Lane on Sunday afternoon.

Coverage of NASCAR at Michigan International Speedway begins at 1:30 p.m. EST streaming live on Prime Video.

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