Bubba Wallace

Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. has made waves in the world of NASCAR, not just for his performance on the track but also his activism off the track. He has become a trailblazer and a respected voice for the African American community within the sport.

Wallace began racing go-karts at the young age of nine and slowly worked his way up the ranks, eventually making his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in 2012. He quickly displayed his talent and potential, winning his first Xfinity race in 2015. In 2017, Wallace made his debut in the Cup Series, becoming the first African American driver to do so since Wendell Scott in 1971.

But besides his talent behind the wheel, Wallace has also made a name for himself as a vocal advocate for racial equality and social justice. This was particularly evident in 2020 when the nation was rocked by a wave of protests against police brutality and systemic racism following the murder of George Floyd.

During this time, Wallace publicly called for the removal of Confederate flags from NASCAR events, a stance that was not universally embraced by fans of the sport. Wallace also drove a car with a #BlackLivesMatter paint scheme during a race and wore a shirt that read “I Can’t Breathe/Black Lives Matter” before another race.

Wallace’s activism has earned him both praise and criticism from fans and fellow drivers. Some have accused him of politicizing a sport that should remain neutral, but many have commended him for using his platform to speak out against injustice.

Off the track, Wallace has also been actively involved in promoting diversity in NASCAR. In 2020, he founded the Bubba Wallace Foundation, which aims to educate and empower young people, particularly those from underserved communities, through sport and STEM education.

But perhaps the moment that catapulted Wallace to national attention and cemented his legacy as a trailblazer in the sport was the discovery of a noose in his garage stall during a race at Talladega Superspeedway in June 2020. The incident was immediately condemned by NASCAR and resulted in a sweeping investigation by the FBI.

While the investigation ultimately found that the noose had been in the garage stall for months and was not specifically intended for Wallace, the incident further highlighted the racial tensions and divisions within the sport. Many of Wallace’s fellow drivers and other members of the NASCAR community rallied around him in support, pushing for greater inclusion and diversity within the sport.

Since then, Wallace has continued to be a vocal advocate for racial justice and diversity in NASCAR, even as he faces personal and professional challenges. In 2021, he secured a new team and sponsorship deal with Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s newly formed 23XI Racing, a historic move that makes him the first black full-time driver in the Cup Series since Wendell Scott.

Despite the successes and setbacks that Wallace has faced, he remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for young people of color who aspire to greatness in the sport. By using his platform to speak out against injustice and promote greater diversity, Wallace has proven that NASCAR is more than just a sport, but a force for positive change in the world.