Career Timeline of Bubba Wallace: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Bubba Wallace built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Bubba Wallace Jr. is a prominent American professional stock car racing driver. He currently races full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing. Wallace is known for being one of the few African-American drivers in NASCAR's top series. He has gained attention not only for his racing career but also for his activism and advocacy on social issues, including racial equality and Black Lives Matter. His presence has brought diversity and sparked conversations within the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2005: Wins in Bandolero Series

In 2005, Wallace won 35 of the 48 races held in the Bandolero Series.

2008: Youngest Winner at Franklin County Speedway

In 2008, Wallace became the youngest driver to win at Franklin County Speedway in Virginia.

2010: Competes in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

In 2010, Wallace began competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, driving for Rev Racing as part of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program and was signed as a development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing. He also won his first race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, becoming the youngest driver ever to win at the track.

2011: Wins Three Races in K&N Pro Series East

In 2011, Wallace won three races in the K&N Pro Series East, at Richmond International Raceway, Columbus Motor Speedway, and Dover International Speedway, finishing second in points to Max Gresham.

2012: Wins at Greenville-Pickens Speedway with JGR

In 2012, racing for Joe Gibbs Racing, Wallace won the second K&N East event of the year at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, marking his first win with the team.

February 2013: Full Season in Camping World Truck Series

In February 2013, Wallace was announced to run a full season in the Camping World Truck Series driving the No. 54 Toyota owned by Kyle Busch Motorsports.

October 26, 2013: First African-American to Win Since 1963

On October 26, 2013, Wallace became the first African-American driver to win in one of NASCAR's national series since 1963, winning the Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway.

December 8, 2014: Leaves Joe Gibbs Racing

On December 8, 2014, Wallace announced his departure from Joe Gibbs Racing after struggling to find sponsorship, seeking new opportunities.

December 18, 2014: Signs with Roush Fenway Racing

On December 18, 2014, Roush Fenway Racing officially announced that they had signed Wallace to compete full-time in the No. 6 Ford Mustang in 2015.

2014: Full-Time Return to Camping World Truck Series

In 2014, Wallace returned to the Camping World Truck Series full-time, winning the Drivin' for Linemen 200 at Gateway Motorsports Park in June. He also won the Mudsummer Classic at Eldora Speedway and the Kroger 200 at Martinsville, as well as the season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway. He finished third in points.

2014: Returns to Nationwide Series for Joe Gibbs Racing

In 2014, Wallace returned to the Nationwide Series for Joe Gibbs Racing, starting at Talladega Superspeedway in May where he finished 34th and Daytona in July where he finished seventh. The Daytona race was sponsored by Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke" campaign.

January 28, 2015: Driving the Ford EcoBoost Mustang

On January 28, 2015, it was announced that Wallace would drive the No. 6 Ford EcoBoost Mustang.

2015: NASCAR Asks Fans Not to Display Confederate Flags

In 2015, after the publication of photographs showing the white man who killed nine black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina, posing with the flag, NASCAR began asking fans not to display the flag at its races.

June 5, 2017: Replaces Aric Almirola

On June 5, 2017, Richard Petty Motorsports announced that Wallace would drive the team's No. 43 Ford in place of the injured Aric Almirola, making Wallace the first African-American to race in the Cup Series since Bill Lester in 2006.

October 25, 2017: Officially Introduced as Driver of No. 43

On October 25, 2017, Wallace was officially introduced as the new driver of the No. 43 team, marking the first full-time African-American driver in the Cup Series since Wendell Scott in 1971.

2017: Voice Acting in Cars 3

In 2017, Bubba Wallace voiced the character Bubba Wheelhouse in the Pixar film Cars 3.

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2018: To Drive No. 43 Full-Time

In 2018, Wallace became the full-time driver of the No. 43, driving for Richard Petty Motorsports.

2018: Equaled Best Cup Series Result

In 2018, Wallace placed second in the Daytona 500. This result was later equaled on September 21, 2020

2018: Returns to K&N East at Watkins Glen

In 2018, Wallace returned to K&N East at Watkins Glen, driving the No. 27 Chevrolet for Jefferson Pitts Racing to gain extra road course experience before the Cup Series race.

2018: Starring in Facebook Watch Series

In 2018, leading up to the Daytona 500, Bubba Wallace starred in the Facebook Watch series Behind the Wall: Bubba Wallace.

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2019: Fifth Place Finish in All-Star Race

In 2019, Wallace won the second stage of the Monster Energy Open and finished fifth in the All-Star Race.

May 2020: Speaking Out on Black Lives Matter

In May 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, Bubba Wallace began to speak out about police abuse of African Americans and became a prominent voice in stock car racing's involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement.

June 8, 2020: Call to Ban Confederate Flag

On June 8, 2020, Bubba Wallace called on NASCAR to prohibit displays of the Confederate battle flag at NASCAR races.

June 10, 2020: NASCAR Bans Confederate Flag

On June 10, 2020, NASCAR officially banned the display of the Confederate flag at its events.

September 10, 2020: Leaves Richard Petty Motorsports

On September 10, 2020, Wallace announced his departure from Richard Petty Motorsports at the end of the 2020 season. He finished 22nd in the points standings.

September 21, 2020: Joins 23XI Racing

On September 21, 2020, Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin announced the creation of a NASCAR team named 23XI Racing, with Wallace as the first driver in the No. 23.

2020: Clarification on Christian Faith and Auction for Charity

In 2020, Bubba Wallace clarified that his criticism of Michael McDowell was not meant as an attack on McDowell's Christian faith. Wallace's wrecked front bumper was auctioned, raising $20,034 for Motor Racing Outreach.

2020: Awards and Foundation

In 2020, Bubba Wallace was the National Motorsports Press Association's Pocono Spirit Award winner for the second quarter and the recipient of the Comcast Community Champion of the Year award. Wallace also founded and runs the Live to be Different Foundation.

2020: Subject of Netflix Docu-Series

In 2020, Bubba Wallace was the subject of the Netflix docu-series Race: Bubba Wallace, which followed his career during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

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2020: Black Lives Matter Paint Scheme at Martinsville

In 2020, Bubba Wallace's car had a special paint scheme for the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 NASCAR race to honor Black Lives Matter, featuring interlocking black and white hands, the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag, and the phrase "Compassion, Love, Understanding." Wallace finished 11th, his career-best at Martinsville in the Cup Series.

2020: Reunited with Jerry Baxter

In 2020, Wallace was reunited with crew chief Jerry Baxter, who worked with him in the Truck Series. He finished sixth at Las Vegas, his best finish on a 1.5-mile track. The season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 2021: Joins Spencer Davis Motorsports for Pinty's Dirt Truck Race

In March 2021, Wallace joined Spencer Davis Motorsports to drive their No. 11 in the Pinty's Dirt Truck Race on Bristol Motor Speedway's dirt layout, finishing eleventh in the race. The truck was fielded in partnership with Hattori Racing Enterprises.

October 4, 2021: First Cup Win at Talladega

On October 4, 2021, Wallace earned his first career Cup win at Talladega, making him the first African-American driver to win a Cup Series race since Wendell Scott in 1963. It was also the first win for a McDonald's-sponsored car since Jimmy Spencer in 1994.

2021: Crew Chief Bootie Barker Joins 23 Team

In 2021, Bootie Barker joined the 23 team as crew chief.

2021: Appearance in Post Malone's Music Video

In 2021, Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin appeared in the music video for Post Malone's song "Motley Crew".

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2021: First Win at Talladega

In 2021, Bubba Wallace had his first win at Talladega.

2021: Participation in Virtual Pro Bowl

In 2021, Bubba Wallace participated virtually in the 2021 Pro Bowl after the event was cancelled and hosted on Madden NFL 21.

2021: Subject of Netflix Docu-Series

In 2021, Bubba Wallace was the subject of the Netflix docu-series Race: Bubba Wallace, which followed his career during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

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August 31, 2022: Switches Rides at 23XI Racing

On August 31, 2022, it was announced that Bubba Wallace and crew chief Barker would switch rides at 23XI for the remainder of the season, moving to the No. 45 car in pursuit of the owner's championship.

2022: Subject of Netflix Docu-Series

In 2022, Bubba Wallace was the subject of the Netflix docu-series Race: Bubba Wallace, which followed his career during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

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2023: Playoff Appearance and Winless Season

In 2023, Bubba Wallace made the playoffs for the first time in his career, improved to tenth in overall points, achieved five top-five finishes and ten top-ten finishes. However, 2023 was also his first winless season since his Talladega win in 2021.

2024: Mixed Results and Penalties in the 2024 NASCAR Season

In 2024, Bubba Wallace started strong with two fifth-place finishes but faced struggles and a fine of $50,000 after intentionally colliding with Alex Bowman's car. Following the Martinsville playoff race, Wallace was docked fifty owner and driver points and Wallace and the team were each fined US$100,000 for race manipulation. Ultimately, Wallace finished the 2024 NASCAR season in eighteenth place overall.

2025: Daytona Duel Win and Brickyard 400 Victory

Bubba Wallace began his 2025 season by winning Daytona Duel 1. On July 27, 2025, Wallace earned his first win of the season at Indianapolis in the Brickyard 400, becoming the first black driver to win a major race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.