Bubba Wallace earned his first race win in NASCAR’s Cup Series on Monday and became the first Black driver to win a race in NASCAR’s top series since Wendell Scott in 1963.
The race at Talladega was being run on Monday, following a rain delay on Sunday, when the race was initially supposed to be held. Wallace took the lead, deftly avoiding a crash and defending his lead from competitors Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski before the race was called as a result of a storm.
“I was thinking, ‘Oh, geez. I wish I would have made that move,’” Keselowski told the Associated Press. “[His] was the right move at the right time.”
Although Wallace is no stranger to winning, as he won a 2014 Truck Series race at Martinsville in a livery that was designed as a tribute to Wendell Scott, victory in the Cup Series has eluded him – until now.
A few words from MJ on our first Cup Series win in team history. pic.twitter.com/J35urIAXEY
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) October 5, 2021
“Got some credibility to my name now,” Wallace said. “I’m just like, ‘Finally, I’m a winner and I’m a winner in the Cup level,’ and it’s just like ‘Hell yeah!’ It was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.”
The driver was congratulated by Warrick Scott Sr., Wendell Scott‘s grandson, on Twitter following the race. “You can’t swim standing on the Bank!!” he wrote. “RIP Wendell Scott. Congratulations @bubbawallace.”
https://twitter.com/SrWarrick/status/1445124415134609425
Although Wallace was eager to celebrate the win, rather than linger on the hurdles that have prevented more Black drivers from reaching the top step of the podium in the past, the last few years have been filled with trials and tribulations.
“It’s definitely been tough going to some of the tracks this year, we get some of the most boos now,” Wallace said. “Everybody says as long as they’re making noise that’s fine, but you know, I get booed for different reasons and that’s the tough thing to swallow. I appreciate all those who were there doing the rain dance with us, pulling for us, supporting me my whole career, but especially those who have supported me with everything that’s gone on the last 15-16 months.”
Dub
🤘🏾
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) October 5, 2021
After the race was called, Wallace celebrated the victory with his team, 23XI Racing, atop their pit stand. The team is part-owned by Michael Jordan, who wore the number 23 when he played in the NBA.
“I’m so happy for Bubba and our entire 23XI Racing team. This is a huge milestone and a historic win for us,” Jordan said in a tweeted statement. “From the day we signed him, I knew Bubba had the talent to win, and [co-owner Denny Hamlin] and I could not be more proud of him. Let’s go!”