They say time cures all diseases. But if the reception he received at the track on Sunday is any indication, NASCAR fans will still be pretty mad at Bubba Wallace.
In the summer of 2020, Bubba Wallace claimed that someone left a noose in his garage in an apparent hate crime. The ensuing controversy added to an already stressful summer. Regardless, a literal federal lawsuit was filed based on Wallace’s claims, and in the summer of one of the craziest years in recent human history, 15 FBI agents who had better things to do were found in Wallace’s garage. He concluded that the “noose” was a pulling rope for closure. garage door.
The episode didn’t endear the Alabama native in the slightest to NASCAR fans, and the bad feelings clearly linger.
Fast forward to Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. There, Wallace was introduced to a less than welcoming crowd.
#Nascar … Crowd reaction to Bubba Wallace at driver introduction at North Wilkesboro pic.twitter.com/GoXxduD4PA
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) May 20, 2024
Wallace, who was wearing a body camera, then (bravely) left the stage and got up close and personal with fans.
Try to guess who lost in the fan vote Ὀ pic.twitter.com/sf7kcpmzz7
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) May 20, 2024
Is it time for Wallace to bury the hatchet? perhaps. But honestly, he probably doesn’t want that to happen. As evidenced by his on-stage antics, he leans toward villainy and seems to have no problem being “that guy.”
NASCAR is a sport that always needs a villain.
