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Bubba Wallace Opens Up About ‘Never Giving Up’ Nine Months After Noose Scandal

In June of last year, NASCAR’s top black driver Bubba Wallace claimed that he found a noose in his garage before a race just after the Confederate flag was banned by the sport.

Noose Incident

After the FBI investigated, however, it was concluded that what Wallace had claimed was a noose was actually just a piece of rope that had been in the garage for months. It had been there before he even was assigned to it.

Nine months later, Wallace is reflecting on both his career and life in general in a new interview with People Magazine.

When asked what he would say to those who have discriminated against him because of his race, Wallace replied, “I’m pretty sure they don’t wanna hear it. They already got their minds made up about me so it’s hard to convince them otherwise, you know? But [I would say], ‘You just can’t judge a book by its cover.'”

“Get to know somebody before you make your assumption about them,” he added. It takes me five seconds, but at least I gave them five seconds before I made my assumption about you. Some people are going off of, ‘It looks like he did this,’ or ‘It looks like he said this.’ Well, how about you find out about who he is as an actual human being, you know? I think that’s what it is. Let’s all do our due diligence.”

Wallace Craves Some Success In Racing

After months of making headlines off the racetrack, Wallace is now hoping to actually have some success in racing.

“I think with everything that’s going on off the track, it’s time for some on-track success, so being able to get into the rhythm [and] getting our feet wet [with] everybody at 23XI [is my goal],” he said. “The success is gonna come. You just have to be patient.”

“Hopefully, [when I retire] they see me as the guy who never gave up no matter what obstacle was in front, ” Wallace added. “I’ve always tried to break through it and come out on top and be the better man.”

Last year, Wallace made headlines when he led the charge to remove the Confederate flag from NASCAR races. In fact, the entrance to Daytona International Speedway displays a warning that the Confederate flag is not welcome on the property.

It says that its presence “runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment.”

Wallace On How He Stays Positive

As for how he stays positive in the face of naysayers, Wallace said, “It’s tough for sure. Sometimes you have your cloudy days. I’ve had them this year, when you just can’t seem to shake the funk and you’re like, ‘Maybe tomorrow will be another day, another opportunity,’ and then it happens. That’s why you never give up. You never know what’s in store for you the next day. That’s why you always keep pushing.”

Wallace is now with Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s new team 23XI Racing.

Just like Colin Kaepernick did in the NFL, Wallace is clearly making it his mission to make racing become “woke.”

Now, he’s looking to find the same success on the racetrack.

James Conrad

James Conrad’s passion for politics is only overshadowed by his longstanding interest in Hollywood. His unique perspective as a gay conservative fuels him to challenge celebrity views and those who think they have a right to tell anyone how to think or vote. James proudly wields his minority point of view to combat identity politics and cut through his typecast. Fun fact: James’ guilty pleasure is the British royal family.