Bubba Wallace Booed at Martinsville Speedway During Driver Intros

Bubba Wallace was back on the race track Sunday after a brief suspension for intentionally crashing into another driver and then becoming physical with the driver after the crash.

The crowd at the Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway Virginia booed when Wallace was introduced at the track. He wasn’t the only driver who was booed but according to Jeff Gluck, who covers racing for The Athletic, he received the loudest/most boos.

Gluck shared a video of the stands responding to Wallace’s introduction.

“Most boos in driver intros: Bubba Wallace, and it wasn’t very close (way more than Kyle Busch and Ty Gibbs).”

Most boos in driver intros: Bubba Wallace, and it wasn’t very close (way more than Kyle Busch and Ty Gibbs). pic.twitter.com/wti0kneWC1

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 30, 2022

Wallace drive’s for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team.

In 2020 when Wallace raced at the Martinsville speedway his car was painted with a Black Lives Matter paint scheme. Wallace wanted the nation to know what he stood for.

Tomorrow night at @MartinsvilleSwy, @BubbaWallace will run a special #BlackLivesMatter paint scheme promoting racial equality. #CompassionLoveUnderstanding

Learn more: pic.twitter.com/MHWwNzIzFJ

— Petty GMS (@PettyGMS) June 9, 2020

Wallace made the news for his stances as well as a controversy over a rope found in the team garage at Talladega Superspeedway, over two years ago.
Wallace claimed that a noose was left in his garage at the Talladega Superspeedway, he called it a hate crime. An investigation found that the “noose” which was actually a door pull rope had been in the garage well before the team was assigned to the garage.

NASCAR issued a statement in response to the FBI’s findings, “We appreciate the FBI’s quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing.”

Wallace’s claims of racism tainted the waters for many fans of NASCAR and he has been a controversial driver ever since.