Bubba Wallace Cited Michael Jordan’s Status To ‘Undermine’ Denny Hamlin When Asked About Wrecking His Team Owner

The first African-American driver to win NASCAR Rookie of the Year, the first African-American driver in 50 years to win a NASCAR Truck Series and the highest-finishing NASCAR driver in Daytona history. That’s Bubba Wallace for you.

Darrell Wallace Jr, famously known as Bubba Wallace, is one of the modern greats of NASCAR. The 29-year-old from Alabama began his career in 2010 and has since broken many records.

Currently Bubba races for 23XI Racing – Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s team – in the NASCAR Cup Series; he also races for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Speaking to Shannon Sharpe on the Club Shay Shay show, Bubba discussed the importance of Daytona in his career given his impeccable record at the event. Shannon then asks him a ‘controversial’ question.

Shannon asked “You’re on the final lap. Denny Hamlin is first, you’re second. You might have to do something that if you know it’s anybody other than your boss, you have no problem doing. What would you be willing to do to win that race?”

Bubba gives a hilarious tongue-in-cheek response, “Let me say, Denny’s minority owner and MJ’s majority owner. (laughs) So okay for me I’ve always raced how they race you. If he didn’t wreck me to get by me, then I won’t wreck him but I’m gonna do everything but that [wreck him] to win the Daytona.”

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Although the question and answer are both on a lighter note, it shows the character and winning mentality that Bubba has. That’s what has brought him his achievements and that’s what’ll help him grow. A very astute signing for 23XI Racing.

What else did Shannon Sharpe and Bubba Wallace talk about?

The Godfather of NASCAR, Richard Petty, had a major influence on Wallace’s career. Sharpe and Bubba spoke about his time with Richard Petty.

Bubba started out with Richard Petty Motorsports as an injury replacement. He replaced Aric Almirola in a few Cup Series for RPM, before he was brought in permanently by the team.

Bubba competed in 3 full seasons of the Cup Series with the team, earning 9 Top 10 finishes, 3 Top 5 finishes, and 2 podiums during his time.

On his experience with Petty, he said “There’s a huge era gap between when I climbed in and he climbed out. There’s not a better duo in the racing world than Richard Petty and Dale Inman. And there are a lot of people I would miss from that organization but those two guys are at the top of the list… They were the true American badass heroes.”

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Bubba is very lucky to have had the opportunity to pick the minds of legends like Petty and Inman. He again finds himself in great hands of sporting legends like Hamlin and Jordan and would be looking to make the most of the opportunity.