“Most Pressurized Athlete in the History of Sports” Bubba Wallace Weighs in on Tiger Woods & Jackie Robinson Comparisons

Bubba Wallace is a protagonist and an antagonist at the same time. Several drivers who have achieved legendary status, and others who became infamous for their antics, have graced NASCAR. But no one has provided the sharp dichotomy that Bubba has in his time in NASCAR.

In a recent interview with Seb Coe, the former athlete and current President of the IAAF, Bubba Wallace spoke about his time in NASCAR, and the challenges he came across for being himself. He compared the pressure he feels with the pressure other renowned sports personalities like Lewis Hamilton and Tiger Woods have felt.

The Brit asked, “I was fascinated by an observation that your manager made, which was that you or his assessment of you was that you were probably the most pressurized athlete in the history of sports. Do you think that’s a fair assessment?”

Bubba replied, “I don’t know,” before adding, “That’s a good question. Is it the same pressure that Tiger [Woods] had? Same pressure that Jackie Robinson had? Lewis Hamilton? [Jessie Owens?] Yes, exactly! So it’s tough.” 

Bubba further added, “I think I’ll let them narrate that, but for me, there has been a ton of pressure and they always ask what’s the pressure like. For me, the pressure it always comes from within my 2 ears because I am the world’s meanest critic of self.”

“And you know, as of lately, I haven’t been able to rag on myself too hard. And I think that’s made me feel better as a person, but the pressure comes from within. Everything else is just noise to me.”

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The 23XI driver has faced a tough time for his ‘activism’ during his time in NASCAR. The lack of support from other people in the industry has further compounded its difficulty.

Why has it taken a Bubba Wallace to change things in NASCAR?

NASCAR has been around for a very long time, with the first race taking place at Daytona Beach in 1948. But why has it taken until 2020, a bubbling social environment and a young Bubba Wallace to change things in the sport?

Wallace said on the podcast, “A lot of people think that since 40 years ago this is how it was done, so this is how it needs to be. But that’s not the case. Because 40 years ago when things weren’t right, you guys weren’t standing for what’s right, and because you guys were sitting in the background not saying anything.”

He also added, “And so now it’s taken me to try and attempt to make everybody feel comfortable in their own skin and in their own voice, to go out and say things and do things to make things right. So… it’s very judgemental, hypocritical…”

He doesn’t deride people because they haven’t tried earlier. The driver understands things were different, but he also notes that this is the time for a change. It’s the time for people to stand up.

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He has some legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his side, but the movement requires more legs and more support. Can NASCAR do it?