Bubba Wallace, the only black driver in NASCAR's Cup Series, made his voice heard Sunday in Atlanta.
Wallace wore a T-shirt reading "I can't breathe" and "Black Lives Matter" during the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 pre-race in support of ongoing protests across the United States and the world. He also complied with NASCAR's coronavirus safety protocol by donning a face mask featuring the U.S. flag.
Prior to today's @NASCAR race, @BubbaWallace wore a #BlackLivesMatter shirt with the words, "I Can't Breathe." pic.twitter.com/YFqRjCDKdg
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) June 7, 2020
After FOX shared a statement from Wallace, broadcaster Jeff Gordon followed with his own impassioned message calling for change.
"We are listening. We are learning. We are ready for change."- Jeff Gordon pic.twitter.com/640QuG2Rwa
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2020
NASCAR president Steve Phelps also delivered an address ahead of Sunday's opening lap. A 30-second moment of silence followed, along with a video published earlier Sunday featuring multiple drivers speaking out against racism.
A moment of silence and a message from NASCAR President Steve Phelps and drivers before today's race in Atlanta.pic.twitter.com/xFBogoBOxb
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 7, 2020
Wallace, NASCAR's first full-time black driver in more than a decade, spoke out in April after fellow driver Kyle Larson used a racial slur during an iRacing event.
