As the 2024 Presidential Election draws near, NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace has been silent over his political stance. While in the past he’s been vocal about politically charged moments, this year he’s refrained from endorsing or commenting at all.
Wallace had previously condemned former President Donald Trump over a controversial incident at the Talladega Superspeedway in 2020. In a recent interview with FOX News Digital, Wallace broke his silence over the election:
“Investing my time into that seems like a waste of time,” he said. “I was definitely more vocal then because our sport was in desperate need of change.”
In 2020, Wallace was at the center of a national controversy when a noose was discovered in his garage stall at Talladega. Although the FBI concluded that the noose predated Wallace’s use of the stall and was not a targeted threat, Donald Trump accused Wallace of orchestrating a “hoax” via Twitter, demanding an apology to NASCAR drivers and officials.
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 U.S. Air Force Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 05, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace remains politically neutral in the 2024 election.
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
“Has Bubba Wallace apologized to all of those great Nascar drivers & officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, & were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX,” Trump posted at the time, via BBC.
He further said that the noose incident and the removal of the flag had resulted in the lowest-ever ratings for NASCAR.
Wallace responded:
“You will always have people testing you. Seeing if they can knock you off your pedestal. I encourage you to keep your head high and walk proudly on the path you have chosen.
“Always deal with the hate being thrown at you with LOVE!… Love should come naturally as people are TAUGHT to hate. Even when it’s HATE from the POTUS.”
The years since the 2020 incident have brought about personal changes for Wallace, who has recently embraced fatherhood. He and his wife, Amanda, welcomed their first child, Becks Hayden Wallace, in September 2024. The responsibilities of parenthood have profoundly impacted Wallace.
“My beliefs stand strong in just being good humans to other people… at the end of the day we’re in this world together. And we have to make it work together. And I think I’ve said that from day one and that hasn’t changed and nor will it change,” Wallace explained.
Apart from focusing on his family, Wallace has shifted his efforts towards philanthropic causes. He encourages support for the Ronald McDonald House Charities in a typically unconventional manner – through McDonald’s meal purchases.
“Go to McDonald’s. Buy a meal, get the 10-piece chicken nugget, fries, Dr. Pepper. And then round up that money, all of that money goes to [Ronald McDonald House Charities],” he said.
Wallace’s journey from outspoken critic to affecting change through compassion and charity reflects a broader philosophy aimed at fostering kindness. Within his sport, Wallace has been a prominent advocate against racial insensitivity and a proponent for inclusivity within the sport.
His team, 23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and fellow driver Denny Hamlin, mirrors Wallace’s pursuit for transformative change within the industry. The team has stepped into the legal spotlight recently, filing a lawsuit against NASCAR alongside Front Row Motorsports over charter agreements and alleged monopolistic practices.
Despite abstaining from the political arena, Wallace has not completely detached from movements for change within his professional domain. Engaging in these challenges, he sees the lawsuit as a potential catalyst for reform in how NASCAR operates.
