Bubba Wallace addresses fans that want politics out of NASCAR

NASCAR is expected to race this weekend after protests and postponements in the the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL and MLS

Bubba Wallace: “Same damn ones that love when the Trump car is on track..Buncha damn clowns!!”

Jacob Blake is a 29-year-old African-American who was shot by police on August 23, 2020.

Blake had a warrant for his arrest on charges of third-degree sexual assault, trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Blake’s attorney states that Blake was attempting to deescalate a confrontation between two women when police arrived. First, he was tasered. Blake then walked back to his vehicle as police followed.

Blake opened the door of his vehicle, to check on his children per the attorney of Blake. One police officer fired a total of 7 shots, the other officers did not shoot. Blake was hit four times.

Josh Kaul stated in a press conference that a knife was recovered from the drivers-side front floorboard.

Blake remains in the hospital. It’s been detailed by the family that he is paralyzed from the waist down though doctors remain unclear if that damage is permanent. He remains handcuffed to the hospital bed.

The incident took place in Kenosha, Wisconsin which was a scene of protests in the days that followed.

Related: Bubba Wallace comments on kneeling and the Confederate flag at NASCAR races

Sports react to the Jacob Blake shooting

The protests have spread into the world of sports.

NBA: The Milwaukee Bucks protested by shutting down their game against the Orlando Magic on August 26th. The team refused to leave the locker room, minutes before the game was scheduled to begin.

The NBA responded by postponing all the Playoff games for the day.

WNBA: All games for August 26-27th were postponed.

MLB: The game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds was postponed on August 26th. Soon after, the rest of the games for the day were also postponed.

Seven games were also postponed on August 27th.

NHL: Four NHL Playoff games were postponed on August 26-27th.

MLS: Multiple players, across multiple teams, refused to play. However, the games went on.


NASCAR?

Currently, NASCAR is set to open a busy race weekend across two different tracks; Daytona International Speedway and Gateway.

Those races will resume as planned. However, some acknowledgement of the social justice issues are expected to be present in the broadcast.

Bubba Wallace in a mask - NASCAR driver
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – JULY 23: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 Victory Junction Chevrolet, prepares for the NASCAR Cup Series Super Start Batteries 400 Presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts at Kansas Speedway on July 23, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Bubba Wallace on NASCAR continuing to race

“Many of you are wondering “what will NASCAR do”….We set the tone for sports coming back during this pandemic. We stood up for change and for racial justice,” Bubba Wallace stated via twitter.

He added, “We stood up for George Floyd We stood up for Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.”

“I hope you all understand that by us continuing to race this weekend, DOES NOT mean we are stepping down and turning away from the dark and evil acts that have taken over our nation. Absolutely NOT!!!”

“I can assure all of you that myself and many of my competitors are continuing to work hard with NASCAR to continue the efforts and the fight for racial equality.”

“Let’s stand or kneel TOGETHER and continue push for what’s right. Love. Compassion. Understanding.”

Wallace also took time to react to Trump and politics related comments in his mentions.

“I’m over hearing people say ‘leave politics out of NASCAR’ when they are the same damn ones that were drooling over the fact of the BIGGEST political person being at the Daytona 500 this year. Same damn ones that love when the Trump car is on track..Buncha damn clowns!!”

Related: Bubba Wallace responds to HATE from Donald Trump

Related: Bubba Wallace insists he didn’t call every NASCAR fan racist

Denny Hamlin - NASCAR driver
DOVER, DELAWARE – AUGUST 22: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Drydene 311 at Dover International Speedway on August 22, 2020 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Denny Hamlin on NASCAR continuing to race

“The industry as a whole, comes together when these issues come about and we figure out the best way to address it,” Denny Hamlin stated in a video with FOX Sports.

“I’m not aware or sure of anything that will go on this weekend. I know that we’re all planning on racing. Bubba supports that.”

“I certainly think that the NASCAR industry will respond in the correct way. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Links

Bubba Wallace | Denny HamlinNASCAR | Daytona International Speedway

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