In 2019, during his second season with Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) in the NASCAR Cup Series, Bubba Wallace nearly retracted a commitment to have Richard Petty’s signature tattooed on his forearm. The Alabama–native hesitated to cover his entire arm with the autograph, leading him to choose a different location for the tattoo instead. This decision attracted attention because Wallace had publicly committed to getting the tattoo after a social media challenge.
In June that year, Petty signed Wallace’s left arm, and Wallace tweeted that he would get the signature inked if his post received 43,000 retweets within 24 hours. While the tweet surpassed this target, it did so only after the day’s deadline. Wallace later clarified that he intended to get a smaller tattoo placed somewhere less prominent than his forearm.
“I’m not getting it on my arm like it was, I’m not that stupid. It’s a beautiful signature in all, but I’m not that heavily invested in having it take up my whole forearm. We’ll get it somewhere small; I don’t know where I’m going to get it,” Bubba Wallace said (via NASCAR.com).
Although some fans criticized Wallace for stepping back, he stayed true to his word. In August 2019, London Reese, a tattoo artist known for working with Ryan Blaney, inked Petty’s signature on the back of Wallace’s right thigh, fulfilling Wallace’s promise in a way that suited him better.
Richard Petty’s Perspective on Driver Success and Celebrations
Bubba Wallace, who made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the iconic No. 43 car under RPM, achieved a milestone victory in July 2025 by winning the prestigious Brickyard 400. This win marked Wallace’s first major Cup race triumph and made history as he became the first Black driver to claim victory on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Additionally, this victory snapped a 100-race winless streak for Wallace and secured him a playoff spot for the first time since 2023.
Despite Wallace’s breakthrough, Richard Petty expressed a reserved attitude regarding congratulating drivers, including Wallace. Petty emphasized that, as a team owner, winning is expected and part of the job, rather than something warranting formal acknowledgment.
“No, I never congratulate anybody, okay? You know, even my drivers and stuff. You put them out there, you expect them to win the race. That’s what you put them out there for.”
This viewpoint was shared by Petty on his Full Race Recap podcast in response to a fan question, underscoring his pragmatic approach to racing achievements.
Bubba Wallace’s Career Highlights Beyond the No. 43 Car
Although Wallace debuted in the legendary No. 43 RPM car, his first official Cup Series win came after moving to 23XI Racing. In 2021, at Talladega, he secured his inaugural victory, becoming the first Black driver since Wendell Scott in 1963 to win a Cup Series race. This race, the rain-shortened YellaWood 500, was a historic moment in NASCAR.
Following that, Wallace earned another victory at Kansas Speedway in September 2022, adding to his successful career milestones. These wins helped validate Wallace’s rising status in the sport outside of his tenure with RPM.
Significance and Future Outlook for Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace’s journey with the Bubba Wallace Richard Petty tattoo and his racing achievements reflect a blend of personal commitment and professional breakthrough. The tattoo story highlights the challenges of balancing personal expression while honoring NASCAR legends, while his wins demonstrate progress toward increased diversity and success in the sport.
As Wallace continues competing in the NASCAR Cup Series with 23XI Racing, his trajectory suggests further opportunities to make history and build on breaking barriers in a traditionally homogenous sport. Meanwhile, Richard Petty’s pragmatic stance serves as a reminder of the high expectations that come with being part of racing’s elite circle.
