William Darrell 'Bubba' Wallace Jr is an American professional stock car racing driver, renowned as the first African-American driver who competes full-time in the Cup Series since Wendell Scott in the 1970s As of August 2024, he competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup series. He represents the 23XI Racing team and drives the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE. His first race was at the 2017 Pocono 400 and his first race win was at 2021 Yellawood 500 at Talladega. Currently in the 2024 series, as of August 2024, he stands in 14th place in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Wallace began his NASCAR career in 2012, running in the Truck Series. He progressed to the Xfinity Series in 2015 and ran four full seasons, before making his Cup Series debut in 2017 as a substitute driver. Wallace went full-time Cup racing in 2018 with Richard Petty Motorsports, becoming just the second Black driver to compete full-time at NASCAR's highest level since Wendell Scott in the 1960s and 1970s. He was the first African-American to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year award.
What ethnicity is Bubba Wallace?
Bubba Wallace is of multiracial background. Wallace was born to an African-American mother and a white father. His heritage is a significant part of his identity and has played an important role in his career as a driver in NASCAR. Bubba Wallace's parents are Darrell Wallace Sr. and Desire Wallace. They have shown constant support for their son's career in racing from a very young age. Desiree Wallace is an entrepreneur and a businesswoman who owns and operates an industrial cleaning company in Mobile, Alabama. Darrel Wallace Sr is a former state trooper and entrepreneur from Greenville, Alabama. He played an important role in introducing Bubba to the world of racing.
According to People, when he joined NASCAR, he said "I feel that overall we’ve made the sport more inclusive for people that may not otherwise have felt completely welcomed," he says. "Hats off to NASCAR, and everything they’ve done to help create change and welcome the new fan base." He adds, "We want all people — current, future, and past generations — to know that you’re always welcome at a race."
When he became the first African-American to win a race in premier series since 1963, Skysports reportedly said:
"I never think about those things. But when you say it like that, it obviously brings a lot of emotion, a lot of joy to my family, fans, friends. It's pretty damn cool. Just proud to be a winner in the Cup Series. Part of me is sitting there waiting. It's not over with. If we go back to racing, that's fine. But we had so many cool fans behind us in the pitbox just cheering for us so it kind of amped up the intensity a little bit but, man, so proud of everybody at 23XI (Racing). I know a lot of history was made today, I believe, which is really cool but it's about my guys, it's about our team, it's about what we've done. I appreciate Michael Jordan and I appreciated Denny for believing in me and giving me an opportunity. Like we talked, it is pretty fitting that it comes here at Talladega. This is for all those kids out there that want to have an opportunity in whatever they want to achieve and be the best at what they want to do. You always got to stick true to your path and not let the nonsense get to you and stay strong, stay humble, stay hungry. Plenty of times I wanted to give up. You surround yourself with the right people and it's moments like this that you appreciate."
Bubba Wallace has been vocal about diversity and inclusion in NASCAR. He has worked with NASCAR to improve the representation of minorities in sports and has inspired fans around the world.
FAQs on Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace was born on October 8, 1993 in Mobile, Alabama.
The nickname Bubba was given due to his resemblance to the character Bubba in Forrest Gump movie.
Bubba Wallace started racing at the age of nine in the Bandolero and Legenda car racing series.
Bubba Wallace drives for 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.
