Global Courant
NASCAR star Bubba Wallace appeared to be targeting those who opposed the sport’s diverse and inclusion efforts ahead of the Chicago Street Race last week.
Wallace hosted Bubba’s Block Party at Chicago’s DuSable Black History Museum on Thursday to help drive awareness, access and involvement in the sport in the black community. There were plenty of activities for NASCAR fans of all ages with Lupe Fiasco on hand to perform.
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NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace throws out the ceremonial first pitch of the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Guardians at Wrigley Field on June 30, 2023 in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
The member of the 23XI racing team was asked why he was seen as one of the most unpopular drivers in the sport and pointed out some fans’ reluctance to change as NASCAR tries to be more welcoming to everyone.
“I’ve always said there are three kinds of people: those who accept change, those who are about to change, and those who will never change,” Wallace told reporters Thursday via the Chicago Sun-Times. “You can never get into the mind of the people who will never change, so we don’t really focus our energy on those people. We try to convince those who are about to change.” Here’s what can happen. Stay with us, and let’s ride it to the end.’
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 McDonald’s Toyota, Ryan Preece, driver of the #41 Operating Engineers Ford, Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford, and Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet, drive to start the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220 at the Chicago Street Course on July 2, 2023 in Chicago. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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And those who are okay with living on the edge and accepting change right away, let’s do it.
“Unfortunately, many people don’t like changes we are making as a sport to tap into different demographics and make the sport more welcoming and inclusive, and that’s up to them. They have to live with that. For us, we keep marching forward. “
On Sunday, Wallace was one of the drivers affected by the bad weather. He finished 31st, as he and his colleagues saw Shane van Gisbergen take the win in his NASCAR debut.
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 McDonald’s Toyota, and Justin Fields, quarterback of the Chicago Bears, pose for photos during the drivers meeting in the Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room at the Art Institute of Chicago ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220 at 2 July 2023 in Chicago. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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As of now, Wallace would make the NASCAR Playoffs in 15th spot. Drivers like Daniel Suarez, Michael McDowell, AJ Allmendinger and Alex Bowman are on his doorstep.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
