Bubba Wallace recently explained why he has chosen to stay away from making political statements as the 2024 election approaches. Wallace, who made headlines for his role in pushing NASCAR to ban Confederate flags from race tracks in 2020, has been a prominent figure in the sport’s push toward social justice. His activism against racism led to a high-profile incident when a noose was found in his garage, drawing attention from former President Donald Trump, who criticized Wallace and labeled the event a “hoax.” An FBI investigation later confirmed that the noose was not a hate crime aimed at Wallace, who is the only Black driver in NASCAR’s Cup Series.
Despite receiving backlash and being told by Trump and others to “stick to sports,” Wallace responded at the time with a message advocating “love over hate,” even when facing negativity from the highest office in the country. His stand made him a key voice in NASCAR’s movement toward diversity and inclusion.
As Trump campaigns for his third run at the presidency in 2024, Wallace has taken a different approach this time, opting to avoid political endorsements or statements. In an interview with Fox News, Wallace explained that, given the overwhelming amount of uninformed opinions and hostility on social media, engaging in political discussions feels like a “waste of time” to him now.
Wallace reflected on how his outspokenness during 2020 was motivated by the urgent need for change within NASCAR, but his focus has since shifted. Instead of engaging in political debates, Wallace is now concentrating on spreading positivity by helping others and encouraging kindness. He reiterated his belief in the importance of treating others well, regardless of race or political views.
“My beliefs stand strong in just being good humans to other people,” Wallace said. He emphasized that no matter the divisions in society, people must work together to navigate life in a positive way. Wallace affirmed that his message of unity and respect has remained consistent and will continue to be his guiding principle.
