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, piloting the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing. As one of the few African-American drivers in NASCAR's top tier, he has gained significant attention and recognition, making him a notable figure in the sport.

Sections (4)

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

2005: Bandolero Series Win

In 2005, at the age of nine, Bubba Wallace won 35 of the 48 Bandolero Series races held that year.

2008: Youngest Winner at Franklin County Speedway

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

2010: Competed 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 won his first race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, becoming the youngest driver to win at the track and in the series history.

2011: Three Wins in K&N Pro Series East

In 2011, Wallace achieved three wins in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, at Richmond International Raceway, Columbus Motor Speedway, and Dover International Speedway. He finished second in points to Max Gresham.

2012: Wins K&N East Event

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

February 2013: Full Season in Camping World Truck Series

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

October 26, 2013: First African-American Driver to Win in NASCAR 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, to seek other opportunities.

December 18, 2014: Signs with Roush Fenway Racing

On December 18, 2014, Roush Fenway Racing officially announced 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. In June, Wallace won the Drivin' for Linemen 200 at Gateway Motorsports Park. He won the Mudsummer Classic at Eldora Speedway and the Kroger 200 at Martinsville, dedicating the latter to Wendell Scott. He won the season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway, finishing third in points.

2014: Returns to Nationwide Series

In 2014, Wallace returned to the Nationwide Series for Joe Gibbs Racing. In May, at Talladega Superspeedway he finished 34th. In July at Daytona with Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke" campaign sponsoring, he finished 7th.

January 28, 2015: Drive the No. 6 Ford EcoBoost Mustang

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

June 5, 2017: Replaces Aric Almirola in Cup Series

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: New Driver of the No. 43

On October 25, 2017, Wallace was officially introduced as the new driver of the No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports. He is the first African-American driver to have a full-time Cup ride since Wendell Scott in 1971.

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 that weekend.

2019: Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race

During the 2019 season, Wallace won the second stage of the Monster Energy Open and finishing fifth in the All-Star Race. At Watkins Glen, he spun Kyle Busch off the track on lap 61.

May 2020: Speaking Out After George Floyd's Murder

In May 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Bubba Wallace began speaking out against the abuse of African Americans by the police, becoming the face of 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 he would leave Richard Petty Motorsports at the end of the 2020 season.

September 21, 2020: Joins 23XI Racing

On September 21, 2020, Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin created 23XI Racing. Wallace was announced as the first driver in the No. 23 car.

2020: Live to be Different Foundation and Awards

In 2020, Bubba Wallace founded and runs the Live to be Different Foundation. He also won the National Motorsports Press Association's Pocono Spirit Award and the Comcast Community Champion of the Year award.

2020: Reunited with Crew Chief Jerry Baxter

In 2020, Wallace reunited with crew chief Jerry Baxter. He finished sixth at the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas. The season was halted after four races due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Black Lives Matter Paint Scheme

In 2020, at the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 NASCAR race, Bubba Wallace's car featured a special paint scheme to honor Black Lives Matter, including an illustration of black and white hands interlocking, the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter, and the phrase "Compassion, Love, Understanding."

March 2021: 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 11th.

October 4, 2021: First Cup Win at Talladega

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

2021: First Win at Talladega

In 2021 Bubba Wallace had his first win at Talladega.

2021: Crew Chief Since 2021

In 2021, Bootie Barker became the crew chief for Bubba Wallace.

March 29, 2022: Crew Chief Suspended

On March 29, 2022, crew chief Bootie Barker was suspended for four races due to a tire and wheel loss during the 2022 Texas Grand Prix at COTA. Dave Rogers was announced as Wallace's crew chief for several races.

August 31, 2022: Ride Switch at 23XI

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

2023: 20th-place finish at Daytona 500, Playoffs appearance

In 2023, Bubba Wallace started the season with a 20th-place finish at the Daytona 500 and made the playoffs for the first time in his career. Despite improving in overall points, achieving 5 top 5 finishes, and 10 top 10 finishes, 2023 marked Wallace's first winless season since his first win at Talladega in 2021. He advanced to the Round of 12 following the Bristol night race, but was later eliminated at the Charlotte Roval race.

2024: Mixed Results and Penalties in 2024 Season

In 2024, Bubba Wallace had a promising start with two fifth-place finishes but faced struggles and a 35th-place finish at Las Vegas. He later achieved a fourth-place finish at Martinsville and several top 10 finishes. At the Chicago Street Race on July 7, Wallace spun out after a collision with Alex Bowman and intentionally collided with Bowman's car post-race, resulting in a $50,000 fine. Following the Martinsville playoff race, Wallace was docked 50 owner and driver points and fined US$100,000 for race manipulation, finishing the 2024 NASCAR season in 18th place overall. On October 30, 23XI Racing announced that Charles Denike would replace Bootie Barker as crew chief in 2025.