Bubba Wallace became the first black winner of a NASCAR Cup race in nearly 60 years on Monday.
Wallace, 27, won the YellaWood 500 at the famous Talladega racetrack in Alabama after rain first delayed and then cut the race short. Wallace was in the lead when the rain made conditions too dangerous to race for a second time. When the weather didn’t improve, the race was halted, and the standings at the second red flag became the race results.
GEORGE FLOYD STATUE IN NEW YORK VANDALIZED DAYS AFTER UNVEILING
The last black driver to win a NASCAR cup race was Wendell Scott in 1963.
“It brings a lot of emotion, a lot of joy to my family, fans, friends — It’s pretty damn cool. Just proud to be a winner in the Cup Series,” Wallace told NBC Sports. “This is to all those kids out there that want to have an opportunity in whatever they want to achieve and be the best at what they want to do.”
The win was also the first cup race win for Wallace’s team, 23XI, which was formed by NBA star Michael Jordan.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Wallace’s public persona grew after a June 2020 incident when a team member claimed to have found a noose in their garage. An investigation found there was no hate crime, and the rope’s shape was coincidental. Even so, NASCAR banned the Confederate flag at races.
