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MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – APRIL 07: Dale Earnhardt Jr, driver of the #88 Hellmann’s Fridge Hunters Chevrolet, prepares to practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Call 811 Before You Dig 250 powered by Call 811.com at Martinsville Speedway on April 07, 2022 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – APRIL 07: Dale Earnhardt Jr, driver of the #88 Hellmann’s Fridge Hunters Chevrolet, prepares to practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Call 811 Before You Dig 250 powered by Call 811.com at Martinsville Speedway on April 07, 2022 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Back in 2020, when Bubba Wallace decided to take a stand and make a difference, Dale Earnhardt Jr had supported his cause. Later on during an interview, Junior mentioned how it all felt different this time around.
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Junior said, “…Kind of knew what I was getting myself into, anytime you stand up for something you believe in. But this feels different, what’s going on right now feels different than in the past…”
When asked, what is it that he felt different in this situation, Junior responded, “Hearing Bubba talk about some of the things that happened to him that’s going on in his family.”
He continued, “Listen to some other black friends and some of the things that they dealt with. I’m, I don’t know this is more, it’s impacting me differently more, I’m listening more. I think in the past you would stand up and support or vocally support or you know just wanna show you know you believe in doing things the right way and treating people with respect and handling things the right way.”
Concluding his answer Junior said, “But I think this time it’s about listening, It’s about learning.”
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What did Bubba Wallace do to push change in NASCAR?
Back in 2020, Bubba Wallace decided to take a stance on evolving NASCAR by going on live television and declaring that the Confederate flag had to go.
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BRISTOL, TN – SEPTEMBER 16: Bubba Wallace (#45 23XI Racing MoneyLion Toyota) looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 16, 2022, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN.(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
This brought forth a lot of anger and outrage from a certain majority of the fan base, thus opening a pandora’s box on the subject. Soon NASCAR followed through and issued the ban to forbid the use of such flags at any NASCAR-sanctioned event.
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Wallace later commended the move by NASCAR and stated, “Props to NASCAR and everybody involved.” However, NASCAR did not inform what actions they would take against anybody who would violate the ruling by bringing the said flag to the track.
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