History of Bubba Wallace in Timeline
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.
December 1, 1963: Wendell Scott's Win
On December 1, 1963, Wendell Scott became the first African-American driver to win in the Grand National Division, the only previous win by an African-American driver before Wallace's win in 2013.
1963: Wendell Scott's Last Win
In 1963, Wendell Scott last won, setting the record for the previous African-American NASCAR Cup Series winner.
1971: Wendell Scott's Last Full-Time Season
In 1971, Wendell Scott was the last African-American driver to have a full-time Cup ride before Wallace in 2018.
1987: Inception of Busch North Series
In 1987, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East began as the Busch North Series.
October 8, 1993: Bubba Wallace Born
On October 8, 1993, William Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. was born. He would later become a professional stock car racing driver.
1994: Jimmy Spencer's last win with McDonald's
In 1994, Jimmy Spencer last won with McDonald's, marking the previous time a McDonald's-sponsored car won.
2005: Wins in Bandolero Series
In 2005, Wallace won 35 of the 48 races held in the Bandolero Series.
2006: Bill Lester races in Cup Series
In 2006, Bill Lester was the last African-American to race in the Cup Series before Bubba Wallace in 2017.
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.
2011: Kyle Busch Wrecks Ron Hornaday Jr.
The situation in 2013 involving Wallace and Ron Hornaday Jr. was compared to an incident in 2011 where Kyle Busch deliberately wrecked Hornaday at Texas Motor Speedway.
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.
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.
October 2018: Named in Ebony's Power 100 List
In October 2018, Wallace was named in Ebony magazine's Power 100 list, joining prominent figures like Stephen Curry and Barack Obama.
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.
July 23, 2019: Richard Petty Tattoo
On July 23, 2019, Bubba Wallace posted photos of Richard Petty autographing his left forearm, vowing to get Petty's signature tattooed if the photos were retweeted 43,000 times, which was achieved. He later got Petty's signature tattooed on his right thigh.
October 5, 2019: Apologizes for Incident
On October 5, 2019, Wallace apologized to Jeff Gordon and others for getting them splashed during the incident with Alex Bowman but stated that he does not regret what he did to Bowman at the Charlotte Roval.
November 9, 2019: Fined and Docked Points for Manipulating Competition
On November 9, 2019, Wallace was fined $50,000 and docked fifty points for intentionally manipulating competition at Texas, spinning his car on the track after a tire failure.
2019: Revealing Depression Struggles
In 2019, Bubba Wallace revealed that he had dealt with and continues to deal with depression for most of his racing career, bringing awareness to the issue.
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.
2019: FBI Investigation and Backlash
In 2019, the alleged noose was a pull-down rope with a loop, in the style of a hangman's knot, that was located on an overhead door, and had been in the garage since the fall Talladega race in 2019. After the FBI concluded that Wallace was not the victim of a hate crime following the discovery of a noose in his garage, he faced criticism on social media. Wallace expressed frustration over the backlash but vowed not to be broken by the incident or allegations.
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.
June 21, 2020: Noose Found in Garage Stall
On June 21, 2020, a member of Wallace's team reported to NASCAR that a noose had been placed in Wallace's garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway. NASCAR condemned the act and consulted with law enforcement. Fellow drivers showed solidarity by pushing Wallace's car to the front of pit road before the GEICO 500 race.
June 25, 2020: NASCAR Releases Photo of Noose and Announces Sensitivity Training
On June 25, 2020, NASCAR released a photo of the noose found in Bubba Wallace's garage. NASCAR announced that they would require sensitivity and unconscious bias training for its personnel and clarified that Wallace and the 43 team were not involved in the incident.
July 6, 2020: Trump's Tweet and Support for Wallace
On July 6, 2020, President Donald Trump tweeted that Wallace should apologize for the noose investigation, branding it a hoax and criticizing NASCAR's Confederate flag ban. Wallace received support from figures like Jimmie Johnson, Tyler Reddick, and LeBron James.
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.
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.
July 30, 2021: Engagement to Amanda Carter
On July 30, 2021, Bubba Wallace got engaged to Amanda Carter.
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".
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.
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 the next four races.
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.
December 31, 2022: Marriage to Amanda Carter
On December 31, 2022, Bubba Wallace married Amanda Carter.
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.
2025: Charles Denike to Become Crew Chief
In 2025, Charles Denike is set to replace Bootie Barker as Bubba Wallace's crew chief.
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