Bubba Wallace admits he "feels comfortable" leading the way as the first African-American since '06 to drive at NASCAR's top level, acknowledging the pressure is something he has "handled previously," according to Dustin Long of NBCSPORTS.com. Wallace knows his move to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series is a "huge step" for the sport. Wallace: "I’m glad to be leading the forefront of that right now. It just shows that we’re trying to bring in a new demographic. We’re trying to bring in a new face, get a younger generation, no matter what color, what age. We’re trying to get everybody involved to bring NASCAR back.’’ Long noted while some drivers "might be able to fade out of the limelight" during a stretch when their car ranks 24th in the owner points standings, Wallace "likely won’t" (NBCSPORTS.com, 6/6). In Tampa, Daniel O'Boyle writes the "perceptions of NASCAR go beyond simply being dominated by white drivers." The sport's reputation for a fan base "unwelcoming to minorities has been a talking point, too, but is something that Wallace says is not true of current fans." Wallace "may be tempering his goals" for this Sunday's event at Pocono Raceway, but his "status as a trailblazer for African-American drivers likely will ensure he gains some attention" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/7).
WILL HE MOVE THE NEEDLE? The AP's Dan Gelston wonders if Wallace will "make a difference in ushering a new face of NASCAR." The next generation of black golfers "never followed Tiger Woods and Danica Patrick didn't spark a rush of female drivers because the sports are so cash driven and opportunities are few." But Wallace has "become one of NASCAR's hot social media stars," and his friendship with fellow driver Ryan Blaney has "turned into more of a comic partnership that's built them over a combined 100,000 Instagram followers." Wallace will also voice the character of Bubba Wheelhouse in the upcoming "Cars 3" movie (AP, 6/6). SPORTING NEWS' Reid Spencer reports the number of races that Wallace will drive for the injured Aric Almirola remains an "open question," as there is "no specific timetable for his return." Beyond his "stint as Almirola’s replacement, Wallace doesn’t know what the future holds." But he "knows he has a small window, perhaps six to 10 races, to prove himself at NASCAR’s highest level" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 6/7). MOTORSPORT.com's Lee Spencer noted Wallace "fully understands the magnitude of this opportunity -- particularly the chance to climb behind the wheel of what is likely the most recognizable car in the history of NASCAR." Wallace: "That’s awesome for me to get my first start driving the No. 43 for Richard Petty and everybody at RPM. Then the other side of it is the first African-American since 2006. That's a lot of history behind it" (MOTORSPORT.com, 6/6).
