“Amanda didn’t like it”: When Bubba Wallace revealed his wife’s disapproval concerning his ‘top blonde’

Bubba Wallace registered his rookie NASCAR season in 2018, driving Richard Petty Motorsports' #43 Chevy at the Daytona 500. The Alabama native was thrilled after the opening race weekend, courtesy of his runner-up finish in his first crown jewel race.

However, his then-girlfriend, Amanda, wasn't happy as Wallace's mention of Charlize Theron pissed her off. The Hollywood star marked her presence at the 2.5-mile Oval as the honorary race starter for the season-opener battle, which was won by Austin Dillon.

During '12 Questions with Jeff Gluck,' the NASCAR insider asked the then-RPM driver which celebrity he'd like to meet if the sport invited them. Wallace revealed he wanted to see Kevin Hart but outlined being a big Charlize Theron fan. He said he was 'bummed' that he couldn't meet her at the Daytona race.

"I’ve been thinking about when we go to Fontana, like we get Kevin Hart out. That would be awesome. I’m bummed I didn’t meet Charlize Theron though," Wallace said.

"I’m a brunette guy, obviously, Amanda is a brunette. But (Theron) has always been my top blonde. Ever. Like ever since I was like 10," he added.

Bubba Wallace then recalled the hilarious incident when Amanda didn't like that he talked about Theron.

"I told Amanda that Charlize was there (at the Daytona 500) and she was like, “Cool.” She didn’t like it."

Wallace and Amanda studied at the same high school where the former was a sophomore and the latter a freshman. They began spending more time and started dating after they reconnected in 2015 to attend a college football game. In 2021, the duo got engaged following which they tied the knot in December 2022. Then on September 29, 2024, the couple became parents to Becks Hayden.

---

A look into Bubba Wallace's rookie NASCAR Cup Series campaign with Richard Petty Motorsports

Bubba Wallace entered NASCAR in 2013, fielding a full-time Truck Series entry for Kyle Busch Motorsports. After two years in the Series, Wallace advanced to a full-time Xfinity schedule in 2015, driving for Roush Fenway Racing (now RFK). He completed two full seasons and ran a part-time schedule in his final year with Jack Roush.

The 2017 season saw the Alabama native debut in the Cup Series for a four-race slate in the #43 Ford, and enter full-time the following year.

Wallace posted a remarkable run at his first Daytona 500. However, the performance dropped drastically in the following races. It took a five-race gap for the rookie driver to claim another top-10 at the Texas Motor Speedway. Then, after he scored a P2 and P8, the RPM driver had to wait for another 27 race weekends before he could salvaged his third top-10 of the season, at the Phoenix Raceway, the season's second-to-last battle.

That being said, Bubba Wallace wrapped his rookie season with a solitary top-5, and three top-10 finishes.