Bubba Wallace expects his COVID-19 vaccine-sponsored race car to trigger a strong reaction when he takes it to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend.
Wallace, the Cup Series’ only Black driver, will feature Kroger Health and Nuvaxovid, a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, as the primary sponsors of his No. 23 Toyota Camry during Sunday’s YellaWood 500.
The car is owned by NBA icon Michael Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin, and its appearance is expected to draw considerable attention in Alabama, a Republican stronghold.
But Wallace, 33, brushed off the reaction he faced, admitting when asked if the entire mix was ‘the ultimate Facebook catnip’ by The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck.
“Oh, just feeding right into them,” Wallace said. “Just p***ing off the keyboard warriors. Man, why not, right? Here we are.”
Bubba Wallace expects plenty of backlash after bringing a COVID-19 vaccine-sponsored car to Talladega
Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota Camry carries Kroger Health branding promoting a COVID-19 vaccine
Wallace said the sponsorship is also intended to promote broader health awareness. “The Kroger Health side of things is about getting your flu shot,” he explained. “People are going to lose their minds over the COVID-19 stuff, but for us it’s about creating opportunities for people to become more educated about getting their flu shots, taking care of their health and moving forward.”
“Everyone else can make their own choices, but we’re all in this together to help protect everybody’s health.”
Wallace has repeatedly found himself at the center of political and social debates within NASCAR. In 2020, the organization banned the Confederate flag from all events after Wallace urged officials to take that step.
Protests were held outside Talladega’s track at the following race in response to the flag ban.
NASCAR also took a public stand on racial justice and inequality after a rope tied in the shape of a noose was discovered in Wallace’s garage at Talladega in 2020.
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Wallace did not find or report the item, but he was subjected to baseless accusations that the incident was a “hoax.” An FBI investigation determined that no hate crime had occurred and found the rope had been hanging in the garage in a noose-like configuration well before the space was assigned to Wallace.
President Donald Trump commented on the controversy, criticizing Wallace while incorrectly asserting that NASCAR’s ratings had fallen and linking the decline to the Confederate flag ban.
Trump wrote in 2020: “Has @BubbaWallace apologized to all of those great NASCAR drivers & officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, & were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX? That & Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER!”
NASCAR and its drivers rallied around Wallace after a noose was discovered in his Talladega garage in 2020; an FBI investigation found no hate crime had been committed
Protesters gathered at Talladega Superspeedway after Wallace persuaded NASCAR to prohibit the Confederate flag at all of its events
President Donald Trump criticized Wallace on social media following the 2020 noose investigation
NASCAR drivers nevertheless stood firmly behind Wallace, walking behind his No. 43 car before the race in a powerful show of solidarity. NASCAR said: “We are proud to have Bubba Wallace in the NASCAR family and we commend his courage and leadership. NASCAR continues to stand tall with Bubba, our competitors and everyone who makes our sport welcoming and inclusive for all racing fans.”
Responding to Trump’s criticism at the time, Wallace said: “Your words and actions will always be held to a higher standard than others. You have to be prepared for that.”
“You don’t learn these things in school. You learn them through trials and tribulations, the highs and lows this crazy world provides. There will always be people testing you and seeing whether they can knock you off your pedestal. I encourage you to keep your head held high and walk proudly along the path you have chosen.”
‘Never let anybody tell you [you] can’t do something! God put us all here for a reason. Find that reason and be proud of it and work your tails off every day towards it! All the haters are doing is elevating your voice and platform to much greater heights! Last thing, always deal with the hate being thrown at you with LOVE!
‘Love over hate every day. Love should some naturally as people are TAUGHT to hate. Even when it’s HATE from the POTUS. Love wins.’
This season, Wallace has reached The Chase – NASCAR’s new format to decide its champion. He enters Sunday’s race 12th in the standings with three races of the season remaining.
