MARTINSVILLE, VA — In a feel-good moment for NASCAR’s garage and grassroots racing alike, Bubba Wallace is proving he’s not just a competitor on the track — he’s a teammate off it. The 23XI Racing driver announced Tuesday that he’s putting up $15,000 in sponsorship and funding to help fellow stock car racer Brad Perez get into a top-tier car for an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Martinsville Speedway this spring. Wallace even challenged some of NASCAR’s biggest names to chip in alongside him.
Perez, 29, has been chasing opportunities across NASCAR’s lower tiers for years, juggling roles as both a driver and tire specialist while trying to make his way into more races. Known around the garage for keeping his equipment clean and delivering respectable results — including a P20 finish in the 2022 Truck Series race at Circuit of the Americas and a P18 effort in the 2024 O’Reilly event with Alpha Prime Racing — Perez has been candid about the funding hurdles that often stall talented drivers’ progress.
Wallace’s offer, made publicly on social media Tuesday morning, didn’t just stop at a personal contribution. In classic teammate spirit, the 23XI driver tagged Cup Series stars Ryan Blaney and veterans Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick, urging them to help build a stronger sponsorship pool so Perez can attack Martinsville in “top equipment.” Wallace’s declaration — “I like Martinsville — I’m in for 15K. Let’s get some more funds for my dawg here to go race!” — lit up timelines and drew wide support from fans and fellow drivers alike.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season has already seen Wallace near the front of the standings, running second with 85 points through early events, just behind teammate Tyler Reddick and ahead of other seasoned competitors. That competitive fire hasn’t dulled his appreciation for racing’s community side.
For Perez, the boost isn’t just about one race. It’s a tangible reminder that hard work and persistence can catch the attention — and wallets — of those in a position to help. Drivers like Perez are the lifeblood of NASCAR’s developmental series, often balancing crew duties and racing ambitions while scraping together funding to keep chasing the Cup dream. Wallace’s gesture, both generous and public, underscores a broader truth about the sport: racing may be individual by design, but it thrives on camaraderie.
With Martinsville on the horizon — one of the toughest and most iconic short tracks in stock car racing — Perez’s potential ride has suddenly gone from hopeful to hopeful with backing, and that’s the kind of “cool story” that makes NASCAR fans grin.
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