23XI Racing names Mike Wheeler to full-time Director of Competition role
23XI Racing on Thursday announced Bootie Barker will replace Mike Wheeler as crew chief of the No. 23 Toyota, driven by Bubba Wallace.
Barker will be Wallace’s crew chief for the remainder of the 2021 season, beginning Sept. 18 at Bristol.
Wheeler will move to work full-time as 23XI’s Director of Competition, a role he has had since the team’s inception.
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to be back on the box this season with the No. 23 team and Bubba, but to be able to solely focus on the next steps to where this team in contention to win each and every week, is exciting for me and I’m ready to give it my full attention as we finish this season and move into 2022,” Wheeler said. “Bootie has been a great asset to 23XI Racing all season and with his experience, he was the right choice to step in and finish the 2021 season with Bubba and the No. 23 Toyota Camry team.”
Wheeler was named to the full-time role ahead of the team’s expansion to two cars and work on future headquarters.
“As we move towards 2022, it’s important for us to put the right people in place that help continue the growth of 23XI to the next level,” 23XI Racing President Steve Lauletta said. “As we finish out the 2021 season, this move allows Mike Wheeler to focus on our overall vision for 23XI and allow Bootie to help Bubba and the No. 23 team finish strong over the final eight races.”
Barker worked with 23XI Racing throughout 2021 and served as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series crew chief for Dave Blaney, Mike Bliss, Jeff Green, Johnny Sauter, Scott Riggs, Michael Waltrip, Max Papis, Casey Mears and most recently, in 2017, Ty Dillon.
SOURCES:
NASCAR
Racing-Reference.Info
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com