For the second weekend in a row, former U.S. President Donald Trump made waves by showing up at a major sporting event. After his highly publicized appearance at Super Bowl LIX, Trump took his spectacle to the Daytona 500 on Sunday, drawing both cheers and controversy. But while many welcomed his presence, one NASCAR star didn’t hold back his true feelings.
Bubba Wallace, the only Black driver in NASCAR, made it crystal clear ahead of the event that he had no interest in Trump’s attendance. In fact, his response to the former president’s presence was as blunt as it gets.
“We’re here to race. Not for the show,” Wallace stated, according to Fox News. His words sent shockwaves through the NASCAR world, emphasizing his belief that politics and spectacle should take a backseat to the sport itself.
Wallace’s stance on Trump is nothing new. Back in 2020, he was outspoken in his criticism of the former president. But in recent years, the NASCAR driver has taken a step back from political discourse, citing the toxic nature of social media as a major reason.
“Social media nowadays is just a way for people to hide behind a screen and voice their opinions on things they don’t really know about,” Wallace previously told Fox News Digital.
He admitted that engaging in online debates is simply not worth the negativity, especially as he focuses on his racing career and family life.
“Now, with being a dad and trying to be the best that I can be here for my race team and my team here, that’s where I’m investing my energy,” he added.
Despite the headlines surrounding his comments, Wallace had a tough day on the track, finishing 29th at the Daytona 500. But one thing is for sure—his message was loud and clear.
