NASCAR season kicks off this weekend with the Daytona 500 on Valentine's Day. Big love is being shown for Bubba Wallace, who will be driving 23XI racings #23 Toyota Camry . A partnership with three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordon. The racing team's name is a combo of Jordon's shirt #23 and Hamlin's #11 car.
By 2018 Bubba Wallace was the highest-finishing African-American in the Daytona 500 (2nd) and became the highest-finishing Black driver at the Brickyard 400 (3rd 2019). Parting ways with Richard Petty Motorsports made Wallace a NASCAR free agent where he found himself on a new team and an important voice for the Black community of NASCAR and the nation.
As the first full-time racer of color in NASCAR's Cup Series since 1973, Bubba Wallace has been known for speaking on behalf of Black motorsports fans. Although the moment Wallace mentions as life changing for him was not June 10, 2020 when NASCAR would banned the Confederate flag.
It was not June 22, 2020 when Bubba Wallace's car was pushed down Talladega Speedway's pit road after a rope made like a noose was found in his garage stall.
It was not September 21, 2020 when Bubba Wallace signed on with racing team 23XI.
It was on May 5, 2020 when Bubba Wallace saw months-old video of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery being run down and shot dead jogging through a neighborhood. This happened February 23, 2020. A few days after Wallace finished 15th in the Daytona 500 about 150 miles south of Brunswick, GA, where Arbery passed. Wallace decided enough was enough.
It was in 2020 Bubba Wallace decided his focus should not just be on racing, but also the importance of racial equality. Wallace has always known the importance of race relations. Now he's got a new understanding and uses his voice for uncomfortable conversations that must happen for positive changes. #socialjustice
Bubba Wallace is supported by big sponsors which certainly helps getting his voice heard by many.
Look out for Bubba Wallace this Valentine's Day and beyond working to create historical moments in many ways. Looks like Wallace has a good jump on his co-boss to start.