Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. is "set to become the first African-American driver to race at NASCAR’s top level" since '06, starting this weekend with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Axalta "We Paint Winners" 400 at Pocono Raceway, according to Heather Tucker of USA TODAY. Wallace will "fill in for the injured Aric Almirola" in Richard Petty Motorsports' No. 43 Ford. Wallace has been competing in the NASCAR Xfinity and Camping World Truck series "for the past five years" and becomes "only the fourth African-American driver to race one of NASCAR’s top national series." Wallace currently "drives for Roush Fenway Racing in the Xfinity Series, but the team announced that he will transition from its Xfinity car to RPM." Without Wallace, Roush Fenway will "suspend the No. 6 Xfinity team at Pocono." The team and Wallace will "evaluate opportunities for him to run other Xfinity races this season" (USA TODAY, 6/6). ESPN's Bob Pockrass reports Wallace's status once Almirola returns "remains to be determined." Roush Fenway will "continue to look for sponsorship for him but is not committed to anything beyond this weekend as far as the Xfinity Series" (ESPN.com, 6/5). Crew chief Chad Knaus said of Wallace, "He's an aggressive driver. He's got all kinds of personality, he's got charisma. If he can get in there and get that car running, he's going to get some opportunities and it’s going to be exciting to watch.” Knaus: "If Darrell can go out there and be successful in that 43 car, you have no idea what can come your way. Get out there, win a race, be competitive. People will start knocking on the door and he'll get some sponsorship” ("NASCAR Race Hub," FS1, 6/5).
BEST HOPE FOR DIVERSITY: In DC, Travis Andrews writes observers for years have "kept an eye on Wallace as a potential breakout star who could increase the sport’s diversity." Some "think a victory for Wallace could be a turning point in what has proven to be a decades-long struggle for the sport" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/6). NESN.com's Ben Watanabe writes the addition of Wallace and Daniel Suarez, who was born in Mexico, to the Cup lineup presents an "opportunity to attract a fan who wants to root for a driver with whom they might share some life experiences due to their backgrounds" (NESN.com, 6/6).
TWITTER REAX: Several fellow NASCAR drivers took to Twitter to congratulate Wallace. Parker Kligerman: "Congrats @BubbaWallace, very much deserved!" Regan Smith: "It's a great opportunity for him and he's been on fire in @NASCAR_XFINITY the past couple weeks." Chicagoland Speedway's official feed tweeted, "Congrats, dude! Shred through the competition in that famous 43 car." Actor/comedian David Alan Grier: "Good luck brotha cause u gon need it!" (TWITTER.com, 6/6).
