NASCAR Cup Series hosts some of the most challenging races in the motorsports world, and rookies often have a hard time making an impact in their debut season. One such race is the GEICO 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway, and two rookies, Ty Gibbs and Noah Gragson, are set to race for the first time at the Dega as full-time Cup Series drivers.

Going into one of the fastest tracks on the circuit, Ty Gibbs, the 20-year-old grandson of Joe Gibbs, will be at the front of the pack as he has qualified 3rd for the race. However, it will not be easy for him, as is evident from the word of warning issued to the younger drivers by Gibbs’s former teammate at 23XI Racing, Bubba Wallace.

Bubba Wallace has a few words for the rookies

Wallace, who won the rain-shortened race at Talladega in 2021, knows all too well how difficult it can be for rookies to earn the respect of their fellow NASCAR drivers. In an interview with For The Win, Wallace spoke about the challenges of racing at Talladega and the importance of earning respect.

Wallace stated, “The biggest thing is it starts with respect. So it’s hard for the rookies that come in to have the respect of the guys that have been around for a while just because we know how this race is gonna play out and we know one wrong move can take you out of it.

“For many superspeedway races just starting out in my Cup career, I was getting left hanging high and dry. And I thought I was making every right move, but apparently, I wasn’t.”

Wallace’s words of advice to Ty Gibbs and others highlight the importance of respect in NASCAR. Gibbs may have the pedigree and the talent, but he still needs to earn the respect of his fellow drivers if he wants to succeed in the Cup Series.

Wallace had more to add on the subject of how to gain the respect of established drivers.

“We’d Kill Somebody” – Bubba Wallace Gets Extremely Furious After a Dangerous Safety Crisis at Martinsville

Bubba Wallace’s simple solution to gain respect may not be that simple after all

Trending

Dale Jr Unmasks Teresa Earnhardt’s Refusal to Sell Him His Late Father’s Prized Possession That Forced Relocation Move

April 17, 2024 12:29 PM EDT

Jimmie Johnson “Racing With One Arm Tied Behind His Back,” Claims Dale Jr as He Trashes Chase Elliott’s Sufficient Practice Rant

April 17, 2024 07:02 AM EDT

Fans Sing Praises as Dale Earnhardt Jr Provides Former Amish Marlin Yoder a Platform for His Story

April 18, 2024 01:30 AM EDT

Chase Elliott Nearly Convinces Dale Earnhardt Jr to Completely Go Back on His Beliefs

April 17, 2024 07:59 AM EDT

Uncertain “Political Environment” Cause Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing to Lose Major Sponsor Backing

April 18, 2024 05:43 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NASCAR stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Continuing the discussion, Wallace talked about how necessary it is for young drivers to stay away from altercations and drive as cleanly as possible. And even if a win eludes the drivers, it is just as important to consistently finish at the front of the pack.

He added, “But throughout time, you start getting those finishes and consistently finishing those races inside the top 5, top 10.”

Explaining how this helps in getting respect, he said, “Then you see the respect level start to go up, and I think that’s probably the biggest thing. I’ve just been able to finish clean, have no damage or don’t cause any wrecks, and then your stock kind of rises after that.”

Going forward, both Gibbs and Gragson will try to continue on their upward trajectory. And even if they are unable to score wins, they must stay focused and try to churn out consistent performances. Gibbs, driving the #54 Toyota for JGR, and Gragson, driving the #42 Chevy for Legacy Motor Club, will do well if they take Wallace’s advice seriously and stay out of troubled waters.

WATCH THIS STORY: Months After Being Banned for Assaulting Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace Shakes His Head at NASCAR’s Carson Hocevar Verdict