
via Getty
FONTANA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 29: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 Victory Junction Chevrolet, stands by his car before qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

via Getty
FONTANA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 29: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 Victory Junction Chevrolet, stands by his car before qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Recently, reports emerged that NBA star LeBron James became part of the Roush Fenway Racing ownership group. In the process, James became the second NBA-associated player to step into the NASCAR world. The first one is NBA legend, Michael Jordan, who is the owner of the 23XI Racing team. In light of the LeBron James announcement, 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace spoke about the two stars.
Admittedly, Wallace was put on the spot, because he was asked about who was the greatest NBA player. He said, “MJ… He was before my time. As crazy as it sounds, I knew who MJ was. I knew who Michael Jordan was, I got to see who he was and what he was about, last year in The Last Dance. That motivated me to be a better person, wake up and just like, ‘This person is a stone-cold killer’.”
Bubba Wallace acknowledged that the game of basketball has evolved. He insisted that both Jordan and James are great players. There was no comparing them, as they have two different games.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad

via Getty
DETROIT – APRIL 06: Michael Jordan is announced as a member of the 2009 Hall-of-Fame class at halftime of the Michigan State Spartans and the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2009 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship game at Ford Field on April 6, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Bubba Wallace talks about the pressure of racing for Michael Jordan
Wallace confessed that there is not so much pressure on him for bearing the #23. This is largely because the number has been in the sport for a long time, especially in the smaller teams. Last year, Bubba Wallace drove in the #43 car, and 43 was a far more famous number in NASCAR circles. According to him, pressure comes from within the confines of one’s mind.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Wallace then spoke about how he got roped into the 23XI Racing team. He admitted that he does not get excited by prospects so easily. Even if some predict that some new team could be the next big thing in NASCAR, the African-American driver tries to stay realistic.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
According to Bubba Wallace, if one sets their expectations too high, they may be disappointed. He cited the example of multi-million dollar deals, and declared that until the deals are confirmed, he will be unfazed. Instead, he has a message to prospective teams to not disturb him until everything is confirmed.
READ MORE: REPORTS: NBA Legend LeBron James Joins NASCAR Team Roush Fenway Racing’s Parent Group as Partner
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT