NASCAR took a huge step forward early in June by banning the confederate flag from all of its races. Following a despicable act that saw someone leave a noose in Bubba Wallace’s garage stall, the NASCAR community is rallying behind one of its top drivers with an incredible gesture.
NASCAR drivers, crew push Bubba Wallace’s car to start line
Wallace, the only full-time Black driver in NASCAR’s top circuit, was pivotal in getting the sport to ban the confederate flag. In the next race following the announcement, Wallace wore an “I Can’t Breathe” shirt and drove a Black Lives Matter-themed car at Martinsville Speedway.
Over the weekend, NASCAR announced that a noose was found hanging in Wallace’s garage stall at the location of Monday’s race. The company vowed to find the person(s) responsible and the Department of Justice has launched an investigation.
Before the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, Wallace received an outpouring of support from his fellow drivers as they vowed to stand with Bubba. When he got in his No. 43 car, NASCAR’s drivers and crew backed up their words in an incredibly moving moment.
The act of solidarity clearly had an impact on Wallace. After his car was pushed to the front of the field, he hugged every driver.
Between this, the “#IStandWithBubba” tag on the infield and the support of Richard Petty, it’s great to see the NASCAR world is embracing change.