Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick offer thoughts on Bootie Barker after NASCAR: Full Speed release
While Netflix’s NASCAR: Full Speed was expected to put a major focus on multiple NASCAR Cup Series drivers, an unsung hero has emerged from the shadows.
Bootie Barker — Bubba Wallace’s crew chief — has been lauded as one of the stars of the show, after receiving significant time to showcase his personality. While NASCAR fans and casual viewers alike certainly didn’t expect it when they fired up their streaming service, it’s been Barker receiving an uptick in attention.
Speaking with FOX’s Bob Pockrass, 23XI Racing’s Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick and of course Bubba Wallace (Barker’s driver) shared their thoughts on one of the show’s stars in Barker, explaining why it doesn’t come as a surprise to them.
First, Hamlin explained that while he always liked Barker, he even learned a thing or two about the crew chief his team employs through the Netflix documentary.
“Bootie’s awesome,” Hamlin said. “I mean, I get to know Bootie a little bit more through the documentary. Bootie’s great, for sure.”
Moreover, Wallace is in a unique position, as he drives for Barker. The No. 23 wheelman laughed when Pockrass told him the news, but elaborated on why it makes sense in the end.
“Is he? Oh, I’m sure he’ll love that,” Wallace responded, told Barker is one of the stars of the show. “He is not a camera person, but he’ll always pick up the slack when I don’t do it. He’ll pick it up and make us look good.”
As for Reddick, he wasn’t surprised at all to hear Barker was getting some love. He praised the crew chiefs ability to keep the organization laughing, and be a real easy guy to work with day-in and day-out.
“He would be, yes. That’s Bootie for sure, absolutely,” Reddick added, regarding Barker’s star status after the show. “That wouldn’t surprise me one bit. That dude, you just never know.
“We could be having some tough meetings, and he knows exactly what to say to lighten the mood. He’s just, his way with words and his communicating skills, and knowing when to throw in a good joke or whatever, might be — he’s just a really fun guy to have around, to be honest with you.”
That’s what makes series like NASCAR: Full Speed great, the ability for an unexpected figure to shine through and become more popular due to it. That’s what happened with Bootie Barker, and we’ll see if it rolls over into an improved 2024, finding Victory Lane once again for his team.