Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick are ready to depart for a galaxy far, far away.
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NASCAR has had Star Wars-themed paint schemes on race cars before, but not like what will be seen on the racetrack at Phoenix this weekend.
23XI Racing's Bubba Wallace, along with his sponsor Columbia, unveiled a very special paint scheme for Sunday's race. As part of Columbia's new Star Wars line, Wallace will pilot an X-Wing fighter-themed No. 23 on Sunday.
Wallace had a little fun shooting an ad featuring Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, as the two unveiled Wallace's Star Wars themed car, fire suit and helmet.
Knock, knock. @BubbaWallace and @23XIRacing found the ultimate wingman in @MarkHamill with the No. 23 “X-wing” Toyota Camry TRD inspired by Columbia’s latest STAR WARS™ collection unveiling tomorrow at https://t.co/B83yS0S236 pic.twitter.com/sRPoBdvicI
— columbia1938 (@Columbia1938) October 31, 2023
Hamill offered some valuable words of wisdom as he handed Wallace his helmet, which closely resembles Luke Skywalker's X-Wing helmet.
"You might need this," Hamill said, handing him the helmet. "Remember Bubba, the force will be with you always."
It has been impressive what 23XI has done with paint schemes this year, and much like Wallace and his teammate, Tyler Reddick, had matching McDonald's schemes at Homestead, Reddick will also carry a Star Wars paint scheme.
Wallace is the light side of the force, while Reddick will counter with the dark side, with his car carrying the colors of an Imperial TIE Fighter.
Stay in attack formation. @TylerReddick joins the dark side in his No. 45 “TIE Fighter” Toyota Camry TRD in the @NASCAR season finale this Sunday. pic.twitter.com/NNTT2wi45G
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) November 1, 2023
Wallace and Reddick aren't a part of the championship battle at Phoenix, but that doesn't mean these beautifully designed paint schemes won't be cool to see racing on Sunday.
Nothing tops a collaboration between NASCAR and Star Wars, and this is the first time since 2005 that cars will feature George Lucas' creation. It will be interesting to see which car finishes better in the race.
Will it be Wallace and the Rebel Alliance, or Reddick and the Galactic Empire?
As Anakin Skywalker famously said, in The Phantom Menace, "Now this is pod-racing."
