Bubba Wallace Addresses NASCAR Banning Confederate Flag, Calls It 'Huge, Pivotal Moment for the Sport'

Bubba Wallace is celebrating his NASCAR victory.

The 26-year-old driver – who is the only black driver at NASCAR’s highest level – reacted to news on Wednesday (June 10) that NASCAR had officially banned use of the Confederate flag at all events.

“Bravo. Props to NASCAR and everybody involved,” Bubba shared with Fox Sports. “This has been a stressful couple weeks. This is no doubt the biggest race of my career tonight. And it couldn’t be at a more perfect place, where I got my first win in the Truck Series in 2013. Followed it up with that second win in 2014. So I’m excited about tonight. There’s a lot of emotions on the race track and off the race track that are riding with us, but tonight is something special. Today’s been special. Again, hats off to NASCAR.”

Bubba called for the ban of the flag earlier this week, saying it’s a symbol of slavery and injustice.

“[NASCAR president Steve] Phelps and I have been in contact a lot just trying to figure out what steps are next,” Bubba continued. “And that was a huge, pivotal moment for the sport. Lot of backlash, but it creates doors and allows the community to come together as one, and that’s what the real mission is here. So I’m excited about that.”

Bubba will be racing on Wednesday night at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia in a car featuring the words, “Black Lives Matter.”