Renowned helmet designer Jason Beam took aim at NASCAR star Bubba Wallace for bringing politics into the sport of racing this week. This follows Wallace’s evolving reputation as the Colin Kaepernick of the driving world with his passion for racial social justice causes.
One of the top helmet artists in professional racing, Beam has worked with NASCAR drivers like Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch. According to Twitter, he’s been creating custom painted helmets in motorsports for over 35 years.
NASCAR Helmet Designer Jason Beam Slams Bubba Wallace
TMZ reported that when Richard Petty Motorsports announced that a new driver was taking over the #43 car after Wallace left the team, Beam took the opportunity to publicly attack Wallace.
“RPM will actually have a wheelman behind the wheel and not a political statement looking for attention,” Beam wrote on Twitter. A fan then responded, “So is this your final position? Cuz I remember a lot of flip flopping when you started getting called out by drivers.”
This set Beam off in a big way.
“I never once flip flopped,” Beam fired back. “F*ck Bubba and F*ck the BLM movement and F*ck anyone who wants to censor opinions and let politics get in the way of business relationships.”
“You can quote me all you want, that’s my stance and has been from the get go,” the helmet artist added.
Related: NASCAR Ratings Are In And The Joke Is On Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace Responds To Jason Beam
Wallace ended up seeing Beam’s tweets, and he chose to respond.
“Can usually let the BS roll off but when it’s somebody I’ve met personally and was genuinely excited to have my first few lids painted by him..hits different,” he wrote. “I ultimately left bc I just wanted a different look. No hard feelings just a personal feeling.. Damn dude. Roger that.”
Can usually let the BS roll off but when it’s somebody I’ve met personally and was genuinely excited to have my first few lids painted by him..hits different.
I ultimately left bc I just wanted a different look. No hard feelings just a personal feeling..
Damn dude. Roger that🤘🏾 https://t.co/LKW6qvfQCe
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) October 21, 2020
This came after Richard Petty Motorsports announced that 24-year-old Erik Jones will be taking over Wallace’s car.
Twitter Feud Picks Up Steam
The conversation wasn’t over there. The helmet designer saw Wallace’s response and decided to reply in kind.
https://twitter.com/BEAMdesigns/status/1319283864301256708?s=20
As per the norm, the heated exchange drew the attention of the hate mob on Twitter.
Online trolls quickly connected St. Jude to Beam’s design business and turned their attention to the charitable children’s hospital.
Hey St Jude. Im curious if you share the same racist views as @BEAMdesigns ? I’m hoping not as there will be a slew of support pulled if the same view or no response from you.
— Allen (@Alphonzo2013) October 22, 2020
Beam quickly caught wind of the attack.
So he responded by stating that that BEAMdesigns helmets “have donated close to $200,000 to Make a Wish and St Jude over the years”.
That seemed to put an end to the exchange.
https://twitter.com/BEAMdesigns/status/1319423063289593858?s=20
Bubba Wallace’s Controversy
Wallace drew controversy earlier this year when he called for a Confederate flag ban at NASCAR races.
Then his notoriety spiked when he claimed to be the victim of a hate crime. The NASCAR driver said he found a “noose” in his garage stall at Talladega in June.
However, an FBI investigation concluded that the alleged “noose” was actually just a piece of rope. Rope that had been in the garage since last year, long before Wallace was assigned to that garage.
Related: James Woods Calls Out Bubba Wallace For Peddling ‘Noose’ Theory On CNN After FBI Ruled It Wasn’t
Many will agree with the NASCAR helmet designer’s sentiments that politics has no place in sports.
Perhaps Bubba Wallace should actually take Jason Beam’s criticism to heart.
I think it’s safe to there are millions of Americans just like him who are tired of being lectured about politics and social justice by overpaid professional athletes.