Bubba Wallace after Talladega: "This sport is changing"
Bubba Wallace finished 14th at Talladega Superspeedway, a career-best finish despite running out of fuel with a handful of laps to go.














Many eyes were on Wallace after a noose was found in his garage stall Sunday, following his vocal support for the 'Black Lives Matter' movement and NASCAR's banning of the Confederate flag from all events.
NASCAR has confirmed that the FBI is investigating the incident as they look to find the perpetrator(s) and "eliminate them from the sport."
Before the green flag in Monday's rain-delayed event, Wallace's fellow drivers and team members escorted his car to the end of pit road and stood with him during pre-race ceremonies in a show of solidarity. RPM co-owner Richard Petty, 82, flew to the track to be with his driver for his first race since COVID-19 halted the NASCAR season.
Read Also:
A visibly emotional Wallace then got behind the wheel of the No. 43 machine for 188 laps of racing at Talladega. Late in the running, he showed up near the front and even led the way briefly with 27 laps to go.
After a yellow with three laps remaining, Wallace ran out of fuel. However, thanks to a push from Corey LaJoie, he was able to make it back to the pit lane and stay on the lead lap. He then rallied back to 14th in a two-lap shootout in overtime, scoring his best career finish at Talladega and his third consecutive top-15 finish of the 2020 season.
'It's been tough'
After the race, he visited with some first-time fans from Atlanta on the frontstretch.
"This is probably the most badass moment right here," he told FOX Sports. "It's been tough. It's been hell -- I wouldn't say hell. It's just been hectic you know carrying this weight, carrying this burden. I wouldn't really say burden either. I'm proud to stand where I'm at. Look at this, first times right here from Atlanta ... That is so cool. The sport is changing."

Fans cheer for Darrell Wallace Jr., Richard Petty Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro
Photo by: NASCAR Media
He then touched on Sunday's incident, refusing to let it bring him down. "The deal that happened yesterday. Sorry I'm not wearing my mask but I wanted to show whoever it was that you're not going to take away my smile. I'm going to keep on going."
Read Also:
He then looked to the fans and addressed what could have been.
"I know I should have won that damn race. We ran out of gas," he said. "Just the stars didn't align for us completely but all-in-all, we won today. The pre-race deal was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to witness in my life. From all the supporters from drivers to crew members -- everybody here. The badass fanbase. This is truly incredible and I'm proud to be a part of this sport. Like I said earlier, I got a long way to go and we will keep on trucking. Another top-15 for us, we'll take it and go on to Pocono.
"Hey, I'm still smiling."

Darrell Wallace Jr., Richard Petty Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Victory Junction
Photo by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images

Ryan Blaney wins at Talladega in spectacular photo finish
Why NASCAR’s support for Wallace was a huge moment for the sport

Latest news
2022 NASCAR at Richmond - Start time, how to watch, entry list & more
NASCAR takes on the Richmond Raceway for Round 24 of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Raikkonen tests Trackhouse NASCAR Next Gen car at VIR ahead of Cup debut
Kimi Raikkonen got his first taste of a NASCAR Next Gen car at VIRginia International Raceway today, ahead of his Cup Series debut at Watkins Glen next weekend.
Why Petty GMS is "blessed" to have Noah Gragson join Cup team
To some, Noah Gragson’s move to the NASCAR Cup Series next season at Petty GMS Racing may come with extra baggage but the team sees way more pros than cons.
Kurt Busch remains sidelined for fourth straight race
Kurt Busch will miss his fourth consecutive race after a qualifying crash at Pocono Raceway left him with concussion-like symptoms.
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
Saddled with uncompetitive Minardi machinery, Tarso Marques didn't manage to score points in his three partial seasons of Formula 1. But now the Brazilian has the chance to show what he can do in NASCAR, and explains the story of his comeback with new Cup Series entrant Team Stange
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
NASCAR’s new stock car generation is encouraging an influx of fresh blood into its top tier. But there are concerns that parts are in short supply as the entire paddock tries to build up stocks at the same time
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
After holding his nerve and hip-checking his teammate on the run to the line, Austin Cindric made a perfect start to life as a full-timer in the NASCAR Cup Series by winning the Daytona 500. Here's how the Penske Ford man emerged first across the line in the first points-scoring race for the much-anticipated Next Generation cars
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
There are plenty of uncertainties ahead of the 2022 NASCAR Cup season as an all-new fleet of cars take to the track for the first time. Ahead of this weekend's Daytona 500, our experts explain what you need to know
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival
The NASCAR Cup kicks off with the Daytona 500 this weekend, but a major engine overhaul and a subsequent mountain of work has been required to be ready for the arrival of the Next Gen cars.
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
From villain to hero, Kyle Larson had to reach his lifelong goal the hard way and go through a very public shaming after a ban for using a racial slur, but his talents shone long before his name grabbed the headlines...
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
It’s not just Formula 1 that’s set for upheaval in 2022, as the NASCAR Cup series adopts its Next Gen cars that will cast any in-built advantages aside and require teams to adopt a totally new way of operating. Far more than just a change of machinery, the new cars amount to a shift in NASCAR's core philosophy
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Bubba Wallace claimed his maiden NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega on Monday to become the first Black victor in the category since Wendell Scott in 1963. Both Wallace and Scott had faced obstacles and racism in their paths to their breakthrough wins, and NASCAR is trying to put it right with its range of diversity programmes