‘Was Surprised…Saw a Lot of Black People Working’ – Bubba Wallace’s Impact on NASCAR As Revealed By NBA Champion

Bubba Wallace is someone who has had the most polarizing effect on NASCAR. Being the only African-American driver, he has been an inspiration for many since he entered the sport. However, due to his actions on the track, the driver has made it to the headlines on several occasions, attracting massive backlash.

In an episode of ‘All the Smoke,’ Bubba Wallace discussed his views on the changing conditions of minorities. The show’s host and NBA champion Matt Barnes asked Wallace if he has ever thought about his ethnicity before or after entering the public eye. Further, he said; “I was surprised when we went to the thing (NASCAR race) there were a lot of black people and it sounds maybe crazy to say but I was surprised. We saw a lot of black people working. I’m just like ‘Okay!”

While talking about his first win at the Martinsville track, Wallace said that there is a lot that has changed since then. He shared that after his first win at Martinsville, Wallace’s mother asked him if he could see anything in the stands.

To this, Wallace replied that there were no fans and it was empty. However, when his mother asked him to look closely, Wallace noticed the people that were cleaning after the race. And the conversation that ensued stuck with him. Wallace revealed; “And it was just Hispanic minorities like cleaning the stands. And there she’s (his mother) like ‘They probably have no idea that there’s a black kid down here dropping.” 

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After hearing his mother’s words, Wallace immediately started thinking about it. He said; “And I was like ‘Well, that’s pretty interesting.” Furthermore, he said that there’s a lot about the minority working community that has changed over the years. He stated; “And it’s incredible to see now (in 11 years) how much that’s changed.”

Bubba Wallace on being identified as a black driver

During his conversation, Bubba Wallace said that the thought he is different than others does not cross his mind until people talk about it. He shared; “When I was a kid, we just show up at a race and win, we’re home. Race and win again, race (and) lose. We just kept doing that.”

However, he revealed; “Now, (when) I won my first race at Martinsville in 2013. It was like ‘Yes!!! Great job dude. You did it. You won your first truck race.’  Then you get out and it’s like ‘Bubba Wallace, first African-American win.’ And it’s like ‘Oh shit!”

Furthermore, Wallace said that he has pinned a tweet that says that the world is not going to stop hearing about him. He explained; “There’s only one (African American driver) and so accept it, embrace it, enjoy the journey. Because that’s what I have done.”

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Apart from this, Wallace shared that he has embraced all of it. He said; “I don’t run away from that, I accept it. And try to make it better and I’ll say everywhere we go now, there are minorities that you know that are fans. Like ‘Hey man! We are fans because of you. We never watched NASCAR.’ And it’s super dope.”