By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. has found himself in the spotlight in the NASCAR Cup Series in the wake of the George Floyd protests throughout the United States. And Wednesday night at Martinsville Speedway, he put on a show.
Driving the newly painted #BlackLivesMatter Chevrolet for Richard Petty Motorsports, Wallace started 23rd and had forward momentum from there, jumping as high as sixth on the night across 500 laps.
Taking two tires on a mid-race pit stop, Wallace restarted second and managed to finish fifth in Stage 2 of the night. And even after suffering a left-rear issue that slowed the crew’s pit stops, Wallace surged from 17th in the closing laps to finish 11th, his best finish ever at Martinsville in the Cup Series.
“Man, our car was so good,” Wallace said. “Our Black Lives Matter Chevrolet — man, that feels good to say right there — was so good on the long runs. We definitely didn’t need those cautions at the beginning or toward the end of the race.”
Despite the slow pit stops, the speed of the No. 43 prevailed.
“Our left-rear just wasn’t getting off the ground, so we had to do three [jack] pumps. That was unfortunate,” he said. “I don’t really know what the deal was, we will have to debrief.”
Checkered flag waves at @MartinsvilleSwy! 🏁
P1⃣1⃣ – @BubbaWallace
Strong run for the No. 43 Chevy as BW gets his best finish at the Virginia short track! 📎 #CompassionLoveUnderstanding #BlackLivesMatter #RPMotorsports #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/VpwP3CvxzC
— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LEGACYMotorClub) June 11, 2020
With emotions both on and off track, Wallace has turned the energy into a competitive boost for the small team. Finishing 10th at Bristol Motor Speedway on May 31, a 21st at Atlanta Motor Speedway last week and now an 11th has continued what has been Wallace’s best start to a Cup season with eight finishes of 21st or better through 11 races.
“All-in-all, a great job to come here and execute with no practice, my favorite place and it just continues to show,” he said.
Hunting down Jimmie Johnson for the final top-10 spot in the final five laps, Wallace came up short of what would’ve been a third top 10 of 2020, tying a career-high for the 26-year-old.
“I’ll tell you what was badass: Racing with seven-time there, Jimmie Johnson,” he said. “You think Jimmie Johnson wins so many times here, and we’re running him down. That’s hats off to my guys, good job.
“This is no doubt the biggest race of my career and it couldn’t be in a more perfect place, where I got my first win in the Truck Series in 2013. I’m excited about tonight, a lot of emotions on the track and off the track. Today has been special.”
Prior to the start of Martinsville’s first official night race, NASCAR announced the ban of the Confederate flag at any of its properties or events going forward. Wallace was well in that conversation throughout the last week and was proud of the sport for the positive step.
“Props to NASCAR and everybody involved,” he said prerace. “This has been a stressful couple of weeks. That was a huge pivotal moment for our sport.”
In case you missed @BubbaWallace’s post race interview 👇@NASCAR | @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/iV1FnPv5el
— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LEGACYMotorClub) June 11, 2020
In reply to the NASCAR flag removal the correct and only patriotic choice and decision could not be easier or more clear, racing or racism, tolerance or ignorance. The Confederate flag is the symbol of treacherous former Americans that abandoned the United States of America and its Constitution, formed their own nation, the Confederate States of America, and then attacked the United States of America. A high crime of treachery that in this and other countries after defeat could put you against the wall and shot. Principally over the question of States Rights, the Confederate States right to buy and sell human beings and enslave them. Neither that flag symbol nor its dishonorable traitor military or civilian leaders have ANY place of honor in the United States of America.