‘Why Bring Politics Into NASCAR’ – Bubba Wallace’s “Non-Political” Stance Was Put to Test by $100 Million Worth Political Commentator in 2020

Bubba Wallace broke many barriers that existed in NASCAR when he entered the sport. He is the only African-American driver to win more than one race in the Cup series. But some sections of fans don’t see eye to eye with him.

$100 million worth South African comedian and political commentator Trevor Noah asked Bubba in 2020, “I know there are a lot of fans, I know there are some people who say “Why did you have to bring this black and white thing to NASCAR”. What do you say to that?”

Bubba answered, “I am not a political person. I try to avoid that at all costs. I walk straight and narrow down on the path I want to. And you know it’s crazy when everybody is all supportive when the President is at the Daytona 500, then its all fine. It’s all political to me you know.”

“But when I bring banning the Confederate Flag and standing up for my African-American side of my family who feel like they don’t have a voice and I’m carrying that weight. I’m carrying that flag for them. So my pinned tweet isn’t about me going around saying I’m an African-American driver. It’s simply saying you’re going to hear about that from the media, from other fans that’s how I’m going to be labeled. I’ve accepted it. You accept it, you embrace it and you enjoy the journey. As simple as that.”

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Bubba offers a very strong response to what he sees as baseless allegations. For him, it is not politicking but it is about affording a large section of people a voice.

What is Bubba Wallace’s involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement?

While Wallace had been a supporter of racial equality earlier as well, his voice loudened after the unfortunate killing of George Floyd.

Bubba raced in a specially designed car the weekend following the incident. On his way of protest, he said, “I think it’s going to speak volumes to what I stand for and the initiative that NASCAR the whole sport is trying to push. “It’s true, black lives do matter. It’s not that we’re trying to say other lives don’t matter, we’re trying to say black lives matter too … all lives will not matter until black lives matter … We want to be treated equally and not be judged on our skin color.”

His #43 Chevrolet Camaro was painted black. There was the hashtag, interjoined hands, and a peace sign painted on the car.

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The debate around whether voicing social issues and concerns can be a part of sports will continue for a long time. NASCAR is not the first place the debate came up, nor will it be the last place. What do you think about it?