Angie Fulgham
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Ready for the 2018 season to begin
February 2, 2018
In just two short weeks Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Jr. will strap into the iconic #43 Chevy for Richard Petty Motorsports during the 60th running of “The Great American Race”. It was announced last season that he would replace Aric Almirola and compete full time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and contend for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year.
Wallace previously competed in the Xfinity Series piloting the #6 Ford Mustang for Roush Fenway Racing. Sadly, his 2017 season was cut short due to lack of sponsorship. He was 4th in the point standings at the time. His future in NASCAR was unclear until a crash at Kansas Speedway involving Aric Almirola. Almirola suffered a broken back and would be sidelined for four to six weeks. Wallace received a call from Richard Petty Motorsports and was asked to fill the driver spot while Almirola recovered.
Bubba Wallace made four starts in the #43 car finishing inside the top 20 in three of his four starts, including an 11th place finish at Kentucky Speedway. Little did Wallace know that his performance would became an audition with Almirola’s contract at RPM ending at the conclusion of the 2017 season. In October 2017, Bubba Wallace was offered the ride of a lifetime.
“It was a huge weight lifted off our shoulders, I could finally lay my head down that night knowing that I had a job for next year," said Bubba Wallace.
His personality and enthusiasm draw people in. He has quickly become a fan favorite. Wallace is not only a race car driver but a drummer, a photographer, best friend to Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney and an all around fun guy. Born in Mobile, Alabama and raised in Concord, North Carolina, he, like many drivers, cut his teeth in Go Karts, Legends, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and on to NASCAR’s top three tiers. In 2012, Wallace joined the Drive for Diversity program and made his Nationwide Series debut with Joe Gibbs Racing at Iowa finishing 9th.
In 2013, Wallace began his stint at Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series. He found success in the trucks with six wins. His first win was at Martinsville in 2013 and his third on the dirt at Eldora Speedway in 2014. Bubba was set to compete in the Nationwide Series for Joe Gibbs Racing but, unfortunately, the team was unable to secure a sponsorship and he was released. In 2015 he joined Roush Fenway Racing where he ran 85 races until sponsorship woes struck again last year.
As Bubba Wallace heads into Daytona Speedweeks, a familiar face will sit atop the pit box as crew chief Drew Blickensurfer returns to the #43. However, with a new crew, a manufacturing change from Ford to Chevy and a newly formed alliance with Richard Childress Racing there are sure to be a few bumps in the road. Wallace can get emotional in the car at times, but I believe as long as the team stays positive and can maintain 15th-20th place finishes each week his rookie season will be a success.
Be sure to check in each week as I follow Bubba Wallace and the #43 team in his first full season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
Good Luck, Bubba!!
Follow and chat with me here: @Angief530
February 2, 2018
In just two short weeks Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Jr. will strap into the iconic #43 Chevy for Richard Petty Motorsports during the 60th running of “The Great American Race”. It was announced last season that he would replace Aric Almirola and compete full time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and contend for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year.
Wallace previously competed in the Xfinity Series piloting the #6 Ford Mustang for Roush Fenway Racing. Sadly, his 2017 season was cut short due to lack of sponsorship. He was 4th in the point standings at the time. His future in NASCAR was unclear until a crash at Kansas Speedway involving Aric Almirola. Almirola suffered a broken back and would be sidelined for four to six weeks. Wallace received a call from Richard Petty Motorsports and was asked to fill the driver spot while Almirola recovered.
Bubba Wallace made four starts in the #43 car finishing inside the top 20 in three of his four starts, including an 11th place finish at Kentucky Speedway. Little did Wallace know that his performance would became an audition with Almirola’s contract at RPM ending at the conclusion of the 2017 season. In October 2017, Bubba Wallace was offered the ride of a lifetime.
“It was a huge weight lifted off our shoulders, I could finally lay my head down that night knowing that I had a job for next year," said Bubba Wallace.
His personality and enthusiasm draw people in. He has quickly become a fan favorite. Wallace is not only a race car driver but a drummer, a photographer, best friend to Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney and an all around fun guy. Born in Mobile, Alabama and raised in Concord, North Carolina, he, like many drivers, cut his teeth in Go Karts, Legends, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and on to NASCAR’s top three tiers. In 2012, Wallace joined the Drive for Diversity program and made his Nationwide Series debut with Joe Gibbs Racing at Iowa finishing 9th.
In 2013, Wallace began his stint at Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series. He found success in the trucks with six wins. His first win was at Martinsville in 2013 and his third on the dirt at Eldora Speedway in 2014. Bubba was set to compete in the Nationwide Series for Joe Gibbs Racing but, unfortunately, the team was unable to secure a sponsorship and he was released. In 2015 he joined Roush Fenway Racing where he ran 85 races until sponsorship woes struck again last year.
As Bubba Wallace heads into Daytona Speedweeks, a familiar face will sit atop the pit box as crew chief Drew Blickensurfer returns to the #43. However, with a new crew, a manufacturing change from Ford to Chevy and a newly formed alliance with Richard Childress Racing there are sure to be a few bumps in the road. Wallace can get emotional in the car at times, but I believe as long as the team stays positive and can maintain 15th-20th place finishes each week his rookie season will be a success.
Be sure to check in each week as I follow Bubba Wallace and the #43 team in his first full season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
Good Luck, Bubba!!
Follow and chat with me here: @Angief530
1st day of testing went great! Love working with my guys, gonna be a great year! □□ pic.twitter.com/vkH3OO3WkB
— Darrell Wallace Jr (@BubbaWallace) February 1, 2018
Proud to announce we'll have @OriginalSTP on the @RPMotorsports no. 43 next year! Can’t wait to join this legacy and help grow this amazing brand. pic.twitter.com/lBhyNQ5Xss
— Darrell Wallace Jr (@BubbaWallace) November 13, 2017
When i decide to use my china as a ride□□♂️□. KARMA | PWD | □□ pic.twitter.com/9bvA5Xdbup
— Darrell Wallace Jr (@BubbaWallace) August 1, 2017
