During the mid-2000s, Jimmie Johnson was widely regarded as the benchmark in NASCAR, and Bubba Wallace looked up to him as a key figure shaping his own racing journey. As Johnson accumulated seven championships, Wallace absorbed the lessons from his performances, which would impact his development as a competitor.
In a recent media session before the second race of the Round of 16 at Gateway, Wallace was asked about the driver he most anticipated competing against upon entering the Cup Series. Without hesitation, Wallace recalled,
“Yeah, I remember filling in and running the Daytona July race, and it was cool racing Jimmie [Johnson],”
highlighting his early exposure to Johnson on the track.
He further explained,
“I remember it was like Jimmie [Johnson], [Ryan] Blaney, me, and [Corey] LaJoie kind of all right there together at one point, and I was like, ‘Damn, that’s pretty cool racing against seven-time.’ I think I even said that over the radio. And so, to be able to race against him a handful of years was cool. He’s been a great mentor and a friend for me.”
The Mentorship and Friendship Between Wallace and Johnson
For Wallace, Johnson was more than just an opponent on the track; he became a trusted mentor and approachable confidant. Wallace described him as an all-around good dude, emphasizing how their relationship extended beyond competition and helped guide his growth within NASCAR.
Although Wallace debuted in the Cup Series in 2017, his full-time ride with Richard Petty Motorsports only began in 2018, overlapping with Johnson’s final two years before his retirement in 2020. This period allowed Wallace to learn directly from Johnson’s experience both on and off the track.
Wallace’s Progress and Current Performance in NASCAR
In 2021, Wallace joined 23XI Racing, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, where his career steadily flourished. Over nine seasons, he has amassed 282 starts, earning three wins, 57 top-10 finishes, and three poles. His career highlights include a runner-up result in his first full-time Daytona 500 and a top-10 finish in the 2023 season standings.
Wallace’s gradual improvement is evident in his average season-ending finishes: 18.31 in 2022, 15.82 in 2023, and an early 2024 best of 15.3. This year, he secured his spot in the playoffs by winning the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis and began the postseason with a strong sixth-place finish at Darlington.
Looking Ahead as Wallace Aims for Breakthrough at Gateway
Wallace now prepares to compete at Gateway, a track where he has struggled to find consistent success, with an average finish of 25.7 over three starts and a best result of 21st last year. Despite these modest numbers, Wallace remains optimistic about making a breakthrough and continuing to build momentum in the playoffs.
