In 2017, Bubba Wallace faced significant anxiety as he prepared to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut with Richard Petty Motorsports, driving the famous No. 43 Ford at Pocono Raceway. After losing his place in the NASCAR Xfinity Series due to a sponsorship collapse at Roush Fenway Racing, Wallace confronted uncertainty about his racing career and future.
Preparations for his debut were marked by high stress and sleepless nights because he was stepping in for Aric Almirola, who had suffered a broken vertebrae. Wallace candidly shared the emotional toll this took on him during the days leading to his first Cup Series race.
Facing the Pressure of an Unexpected Cup Series Start
Wallace revealed how challenging it was to cope with the unknown during that period. He described the intense strain of waiting to see what his future in NASCAR would hold and wrestled with self-doubt, especially since he had not attended college and was unsure what other options lay ahead.
“There were a lot of sleepless nights. You can ask my girlfriend. I was pretty stressed out for a couple days leading up to this. When you’re a young guy, I call me a young guy, I feel old sometimes but it’s pretty stressful now that I understand the business and life itself,” Bubba Wallace said (via Autoweek).
“It’s pretty devastating not knowing what’s next. I’m like, ‘Hell, I didn’t go to college, so I don’t know what I’m going to do.’ The biggest thing for me was just trying to keep that in check and keep those emotions in check,” he added.
In July 2017, Wallace made history as the first African-American driver to compete in the Cup Series since Bill Lester in 2006. Wallace’s achievements also include being the second African-American ever to win a NASCAR national Truck Series race in 2013. In his Pocono debut, Wallace started 16th but was hampered by engine trouble, finishing 26th before completing the full 400-mile race.
He participated in three additional races that year, with his best result coming at Kansas Speedway, where he placed 11th.
Bubba Wallace’s Transition to Full-Time Racing with Richard Petty Motorsports
By October 2017, Wallace was set to compete full-time for Richard Petty Motorsports in the upcoming season, continuing in the No. 43 car after Aric Almirola’s exit. This marked a significant milestone in Wallace’s career, as he became the tenth full-time driver of the iconic car since Richard Petty’s retirement in 1992.
“This is a dream come true to race for ‘The King,’ Richard Petty Motorsports, the iconic No. 43,” Bubba Wallace said (via Autoweek).
Reflecting on his transition from the Xfinity Series to the NASCAR Cup Series, Wallace admitted he initially did not fully grasp the magnitude of the step he was taking.
“I didn’t know what the Cup Series was about. I knew it was taking the next step. I didn’t know how big that step was,” Wallace said (via NASCAR.com).
Wallace’s rookie Cup season featured a remarkable runner-up finish in the Daytona 500, alongside two additional top-10 results at the Texas race in spring and the Phoenix race in the fall. He finished second in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings behind William Byron and secured 28th place in the overall points standings, with an average finish of 24.50.
The Significance of Wallace’s Breakthrough and What Lies Ahead
Bubba Wallace’s journey exemplifies resilience amid uncertainty and the pressure of breaking new ground in NASCAR’s premier division. His initial anxiety and sleepless nights before his Cup Series debut reflect the challenges young drivers face when stepping into high-profile roles unexpectedly. The opportunity to drive for Richard Petty Motorsports and his early performances helped establish him as an influential figure, both on and off the track.
As he continues his career, Wallace remains a symbol of progress within the sport, inspiring future generations while navigating the ongoing demands of competing at the highest level of NASCAR racing.
