Bubba Wallace talks remaking the rules in NASCAR

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After three years driving the iconic No. 43 car for Richard Petty Motorsports, Bubba Wallace is representing another globally recognized brand.

The 27-year-old NASCAR driver was signed last year as the first driver for 23XI Racing. For the new team, Wallace is driving the No. 23 car, which is a nod to team owner and NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. Fellow driver Denny Hamlin co-owns 23XI with Jordan. The single-car team debuted at the 2021 Daytona 500 in February. Wallace finished 17th after a last-lap crash but did briefly lead the race.

Wallace has emerged as one of the sport’s most prominent figures. He is the only Black driver running a full NASCAR schedule in the sport’s top division and led a successful charge that resulted in NASCAR banning the Confederate flag. Wallace has also been vocal in his support of the Black Lives Matter movement and fighting for more diversity in NASCAR.

Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, said he believes 23XI is destined for big things in the sport. Kelley praised Wallace’s leadership in NASCAR throughout 2020 as one of the reasons for that.

Wallace recently spoke with the Charlotte Business Journal to discuss the new team and his future, among other topics. Read that interview here.

Bubba Wallace still learning to ?embrace? activism in race debate Bubba Wallace still learning to ?embrace? activism in race debate

Cox Media Group