2023 is shaping up to be a breakout season for Bubba Wallace. The Alabama native has been making waves with his remarkable performances, and his playoff debut in 2023 marked a turning point in his career. After the Daytona regular-season finale, Bubba Wallace emerged victorious as he secured the last spot in the playoff round of 16. The No. 23’s playoff journey has been nothing short of impressive. Despite a setback in the Kansas race, he managed to extend his playoff stint, securing his spot in the round of 12 during the first elimination race at Bristol. Adding to his growing list of accomplishments, Bubba Wallace claimed his first pole position for 2023 at Texas.

However, alongside his on-track success, the 23XI driver continues to face intense scrutiny off the track. Being NASCAR’s first full-time black driver since 1971, Bubba Wallace has confronted a plethora of challenges stemming from his status as a minority. However, in a recent conversation among seasoned NASCAR veterans, the challenges that he has encountered took on a new dimension, seemingly negligible when viewed in the context of a more comprehensive narrative.

The challenges faced by Bubba Wallace paled in comparison to NASCAR’s broader issues

Two formidable barriers have historically defined the NASCAR landscape: race and gender. While NASCAR is primarily known for its white-dominated environment, it’s equally important to recognize that it has long been a male-dominated realm. The recognition of these challenges doesn’t pit one group’s struggles against another’s; rather, it highlights the collective effort required to transcend these barriers.

The consensus remains that women have had to tirelessly defy the odds and labor to carve out a place for themselves in a sport that initially did not welcome them. This topic took center stage in the latest episode of ‘The Kenny Show,’ where former NASCAR drivers Kenny Wallace and Kyle Petty engaged in a candid discussion.

Furthermore, Petty drew parallels between Guthrie’s experiences and the challenges faced by other minority racers in modern times, such as Bubba Wallace and Bill Lester. He noted that while today’s racing landscape presents its own difficulties, Guthrie’s era was particularly grueling, implying that her accomplishments were all the more remarkable given the adversity she encountered.

Read more: NASCAR Community Left Mourning the Death of Stock Car Legend Kenny Wallace, Thanks to Miscommunication

“We talk so much about what Bubba goes through or, what Bill Lester or other people have gone through in the sport. What she went through at a time in the ’70s was horrific.” In a hopeful tone, Petty highlighted the positive transformations that have occurred, asserting, “But the world changes, and the whole sport changes, and it changes for the better in a lot of ways.” 

NASCAR’s restrictive gender policies in the 1970s

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Petty further delved into the restrictive gender policies that have plagued NASCAR ever since its inception. Recounting an incident involving the late Dick Brooks, a veteran driver and businessman, and a female Vice President of the company sponsoring Brooks. Petty revealed, “This is back in the late 70s, maybe early 80s…and she couldn’t get in the garage area to see a car. Her company was spending hundreds and thousands of dollars!”

Bubba Wallace reacted with disbelief, leading Petty to confirm, “NASCAR didn’t allow women in the garage area.” The conversation underscored the gender biases prevalent in NASCAR during that time, stating, “Here is a corporation that is sponsoring a car in the elite NASCAR series. And the woman who is in charge of the finances for that company can’t get in the garage area to see the car because they don’t allow women and that’s just the way the sport was.”

Watch this story: Kenny Wallace’s “Dumb Mother****er” Rant Left Dale Earnhardt Jr Panicking in Front of Wife Amy

Living in the 21st century, NASCAR has not only seen advancements in its cars but also in its values, marking an incredible journey from closed doors to becoming a sport cherished by millions.