NASCAR fans are rarely kind to drivers they hate. It is a mindset you cannot really criticize as letting go is not everyone’s cup of tea. May it be Paul Menards being hated on even after winning the 2024  Trans Am TA class championship or Ty Gibbs for being wide-mouthed even if he lags behind in skills, drivers receive a lot of criticism. But, what if the racer has talent, and a good social image but, a questionable choice of words? Turns out, the fanbase is divided. And it is evident why Bubba Wallace has been one of such polarizing figures in NASCAR.

Whether people love him or hate him, one thing is certain: he moves the needle. Wallace’s persona in the sport has brought about heated debates. Recently, Charlie Marlow and NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace had their two cents on the topic.

Kenny Wallace brutally shuts all haters of marketable Bubba Wallace

Bubba Wallace has been subjected to hate for quite a few reasons. And, the reasons are more natural than anyone might think. He’s a bit socially awkward which makes his interviews chaotic. Sometimes he does not find the right words to express his emotions and receives criticism. There have been mistakes in the past which do not wipe clean off fan’s minds. Somewhere down the line, there still remains a hint of racism in some fans, making them criticize the only African-American-origin racer in the sport. Charlie Marlow has his own reasons why fans despise Bubba Wallace so much.

“Like it or not, you see Bubba Wallace on a lot of those promotions,” Marlow said. “He’s not one of the best drivers. He’s OK. He’s whatever, top 10, top 15. But they do clearly market Bubba Wallace. And he does move the needle because a lot of people don’t like him. Some people like him, but he is a lightning rod.” Marlow’s observation speaks to a larger trend in NASCAR’s promotion strategy- Both types of publicity, good and bad attract eyeballs to the sport. This has led to backlash from some fans who feel Wallace’s media presence outweighs his accomplishments.

That’s when NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace jumped in with a brutally honest take on Wallace’s critics. Holding up his phone, he shared a quote from Joe Rogan that he believes perfectly describes the mindset of those who constantly bash Bubba Wallace.
“Haters are all failures. No failures is 100% across the board. No one who is truly brilliant at anything is a hater.” Wallace continued, “Successful people don’t waste their time tearing others down.” 

His comments directly hit at the detractors of Bubba Wallace, with many of those who flood social media with negative comments. A veteran racer stated that truly successful people focus on self-improvement, innovation, and progress on hate.“Roger Penske does not take time to talk. You know, in other words, people that own companies, they don’t hang [online talking trash]. You might get sound bites, but when you see people on social media constantly talking crap, well, they’re losers. They’re followers,” Wallace said.

Throughout Bubba Wallace’s journey, controversy has surrounded him, including instances of racism against him. Remember the June 2020 incident at Talladega, where Bubba’s team found a noose in his garage? Later, it was confirmed by the FBI that it was used as an old-fashioned pulley mechanism. But, it is a matter of safety concern! Fans criticized him and team 23XI Racing for being overreactive but, thinking it over might give them a considerate point of view.

Bubba Wallace has major controversies, two career Cup Series wins, and multiple playoff appearances. Still, some critics argue that he receives more media attention than his results justify. However, NASCAR’s marketing of Wallace is likely driven by more than just statistics—it’s about expanding the sport’s audience and capitalizing on the attention he naturally generates. “I know I have my fans and I know I have my haters,” Wallace said in a previous interview. “But at the end of the day, I’m here to race and compete just like everyone else.”

Kenny Wallace’s comments reflect a larger mindset shift needed in the NASCAR community. Instead of fixating on who gets marketed the most, he believes true winners focus on what they can control-improving themselves and their craft. His direct approach serves as a reminder that NASCAR, like any other sport, thrives on competition but also on growth.

At the end of the day, whether Bubba Wallace is on a NASCAR promo or Victory Lane, he’s making an impact—and that’s something his critics can’t ignore. But, they could connect with him on a personal level to understand what the man thinks like.

Beyond the Track: Bubba Wallace’s Hidden Passion

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Bubba Wallace is renowned for his speed, and for racing, there’s much roaring going on when the racing gears are in motion. But beneath all that noise is a quieter passion—photography. A different glimpse into his life that’s not contained in his main Instagram, which features only racing highlights: He has a photography account with just 12,000 followers.

In a recent NASCAR Instagram post titled “Behind the lens with Bubba Wallace,” the 23XI Racing driver shared how he got into photography. “What got me started is my dad’s old Nikon,” Wallace explained. Over time it morphed into more than a hobby, but instead a creative outlet that teaches him patience. It’s a characteristic that both racing and photography take abundant amounts of.

Wallace keeps a Sony A7R IV camera with him wherever he goes, snapping candid shots of his wife, Amanda Carter, their dog Asher, and street photography from son Becks Hayden on his first visit to New York City. He continues, “Pretty sure there’s a lot of keyboard warriors out there that’ll tell you it’s not cool, but it’s your photo.”

Beyond photography, music plays an equally important role in Wallace’s life. His love for drumming started in middle school when his dad bought him a Roland electronic drum kit. He became obsessed after hearing Avenged Sevenfold’s “Unholy Confessions” and later unwound during his 2021 NASCAR season by drumming to Fall Out Boy’s “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” in Netflix’s Race: Bubba Wallace.

His favorite music genre happens to be metalcore, but he is extremely fond of the bands, Parkway Drive, Silent Planet, and Fire from the Gods. Whether Bubba is driving, snapping pictures, or sitting behind the drum kit, he brings enthusiasm to each endeavor, revealing that there’s more to the story than what racing can present. Maybe haters who relate to Bubba on grounds of personal preferences could start liking the man.