Bubba Wallace comments following NASCAR win at Talladega Superspeedway
Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway was pushed to Monday following rain. Earlier today, they dropped the green flag on the NASCAR Playoff race in Talladega, Alabama.
The race saw a brief rain shower early in Monday’s race. NASCAR was able to quickly resume the race.
Related: Talladega race results from October 4, 2021 (NASCAR Cup Series)
Late in stage two, the clouds began getting darker. Rain was in the area. Bubba Wallace threw a massive block on Brad Keselowski to hold the race lead.
Moments later, Ryan Preece was turned into the outside wall following a bump draft from Chris Buescher. As cars rolled under caution, the rain began to fall again.
NASCAR drivers came up to Bubba Wallace as he waited out the delay on his pit box. He turned them away as NASCAR hadn’t yet called the race.
After an attempt to dry the track, the rain returned once more. NASCAR called the race. Bubba Wallace is the winner.
The win comes at Talladega Superspeedway. One year after the noose incident at the same track a year prior.
Related: NASCAR has concluded the investigation of the noose that hung in the garage stall of Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace comments on his NASCAR win
Bubba Wallace became the second Black driver to win a NASCAR race. He’s the first since Wendell Scott.
“Part of me was sitting there waiting, it’s not over with. If we go back racing, that’s fine. We had some many cool fans behind our pit box, cheering for it to rain. That amped up the intensity a little bit,” Bubba Wallace told NBC Sports after the win.
“So proud of everybody at 23XI. New team, coming in, getting a win late in the season. Reminds me of 2013, we waited so long to get that first truck win.”
“I know a lot of history was made today, I believe. That’s really cool but it’s about my guys, it’s about our team. Appreciate Michael Jordan, appreciate Denny for giving me the opportunity.”
“It’s pretty fitting that it comes here at Talladega.”
Related: Bubba Wallace reflects on ‘Black Lives Matter’ shirt; Talks 23XI Racing
Black NASCAR winners
Bubba Wallace is the first Black NASCAR winner in nearly 58 years.
“I never think about those things. When you say it like that, it brings a lot of emotion. It’s pretty damn cool. Just proud to be a winner in the Cup Series,” Bubba Wallace fights back tears.
“This is for all those kids out there that want to have an opportunity, in whatever they want to achieve. You’re going to go through a lot of bullshit. But, you always gotta stay true to your path and not let the nonsense get to you. Stay strong, stay humble, stay hungry.”
Wallace concluded, “There’s been plenty of times where I want to give up. You surround yourself with the right people ad it’s moments like this that you appreciate.”
Related: Michael Jordan entering NASCAR spawned from a joke
23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin comments
This is also the first win for 23XI Racing. The team was formed by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan and made their debut earlier this season.
“It’s way more emotional because I know how difficult it is,” Hamlin stated from the garage after the win.
“These guys worked so hard over the last 10 months to put this team together. It’s been a lot of hours. It’s great to see the results.”
“We knew it was going to be a learning process.But, I’m so happy for the team. This is just a building step. We’re still in the beginning stages of our team, we’re still growing.”
Related: Kurt Busch announced as second driver for 23XI Racing in 2022
Links
Bubba Wallace | Denny Hamlin | Michael Jordan | Talladega Superspeedway | NASCAR
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