“They’ve Got to Get Viewers Somehow” – Bubba Wallace on Media Headlines That Put Him in a Box
Add us on Google
“They’ve Got to Get Viewers Somehow” – Bubba Wallace on Media Headlines That Put Him in a Box
Add us on Google
Getty
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 26: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #18 Dr. Pepper Toyota, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pit Boss 250 at Circuit of The Americas on March 26, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Getty
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 26: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #18 Dr. Pepper Toyota, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pit Boss 250 at Circuit of The Americas on March 26, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Bubba Wallace has made history on quite a lot of fronts in NASCAR. But that precise thing, him making history by being the first African-American driver to do what he has done so far, has ensured that it’s become a label that perhaps overshadows his talent.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
However, Wallace isn’t bothered by that being the case. Rather, he’s simply accepting what he’s expecting.
“I’ve accepted that, that’s what my pinned tweet says that’s been up since 2017 and it’s pissed a lot of people off which I love. But it’s simply saying, ‘Hey, stop getting offended for me, over the headlines from the media outlets, black this, black that, black NASCAR driver,” he said.
“They’ve got to get viewers somehow. I’ve accepted it, so you accept it, embrace it, and enjoy the journey.”
There is only 1 driver from an African American background at the top level of our sport..I am the 1. You're not gonna stop hearing about "the black driver" for years. Embrace it, accept it and enjoy the journey..
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) November 8, 2017
“Now people that are latching on to it think I’m saying, ‘I’m black driver, look at me, I’m black driver.’ It’s like, no I’m not saying that at all,” Wallace continued.
“I’m just saying I’m going to be called that for years, because there ain’t nobody else but me.”
Bubba Wallace slams NASCAR for the crew chief sanctions
So far this season, Cup teams are having a tough time adapting to the new single lug nut wheel. And because of that, there have been mistakes, mistakes that are being punished and leading to some quite harsh penalties.
This was something that Bubba Wallace recently criticized NASCAR for.
“Last year with the five lug stuff, it was a time advantage. We were trying to cheat the system and when the wheel came off, you paid the price for it. Crew chief had an influence on that, the crew chief has no influence on the single lug nut now,” Wallace said.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 5, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) during qualifying for the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Bubba Wallace emphasized that no crew chief wants for his driver or his team, a scenario in which their race is over because of his own mistake, more so because crew chiefs get paid off on the basis of the results. “The better you do, the bigger the paycheck,” he added.
“The four-week suspension needs to be revamped.”
WATCH THIS STORY: Bubba Wallace Reacts to NASCAR Boss Denny Hamlin’s “Unacceptable” NASCAR Criticism
