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When NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace raised his middle finger at fellow driver Kyle Busch during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International earlier this month, it sparked a range of reactions from fans and media alike. Some were quick to criticize Wallace for his actions, while others defended him as simply “standing up for himself.” Despite calling the incident a “heat of the moment” mistake and apologizing to Busch afterwards, Wallace has since suggested that a double standard exists in the sport when it comes to drivers’ behavior, particularly when it comes to how he is perceived compared to his white peers.
Wallace has been vocal about the unique experiences he faces as the only black driver in NASCAR’s top racing series. From fans shouting racial slurs at him to facing online harassment, he has been a target for racism and hate in a way that his colleagues have not. In a recent statement, Wallace spoke out about how he thinks this differential treatment extends to his behavior and actions on and off the track.
“I’m just trying to be a normal race car driver,” Wallace said. “I’m not trying to make it a race thing. But it’s just that the stuff that I do gets seen differently than the stuff that other drivers do. I just think there’s a little bit of a double standard there.”
Wallace’s comments came after he received backlash for his middle finger gesture at Watkins Glen, with some fans calling for him to be fined or suspended from the sport. Wallace noted that other drivers, including Busch himself, have engaged in similar behavior without facing the same level of scrutiny or punishment.
“There are drivers that have done worse things, and they’ve been able to get away with it,” Wallace said. “It’s just a different scale, a different level. That’s all I’m saying.”
While it is true that NASCAR drivers have engaged in aggressive or provocative behavior in the past, both on and off the track, it is also true that there seems to be a different reaction when Wallace is involved. Whether this is due to his race, his age (he is just 26 years old, making him one of the youngest drivers in the series), or his outspokenness about social justice issues is up for debate. But what is clear is that Wallace feels that his behavior is held to a higher standard than his peers’.
This is not the first time that Wallace has spoken out about the lack of diversity and inclusion in NASCAR. Earlier this year, he successfully advocated for NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag at its events, a move that was met with both support and pushback from fans. He has also been vocal about his support for the Black Lives Matter movement and has driven a car featuring a #BlackLivesMatter paint scheme. In a predominantly white and conservative sport like NASCAR, these actions have not gone unnoticed.
There is no denying that Wallace’s behavior at Watkins Glen was not ideal, and he himself has acknowledged that fact. But what is worth examining is whether the reaction to his behavior is fair or reasonable. As Wallace himself pointed out, his white counterparts have gotten away with similar or worse behavior in the past. So why is he being treated differently?
Perhaps it is because he remains a new face in the sport, having only recently joined Richard Petty Motorsports and not yet established himself as a veteran driver. Or perhaps it is because his actions are seen as more provocative or inappropriate than those of his colleagues. But whichever way you look at it, there is a sense that the scrutiny that Wallace faces in NASCAR is different from what his peers experience. Whether this is due to his race, his outspokenness, or some other factor, it is a challenge that he will continue to face.
The ongoing debate over Wallace’s behavior highlights a larger issue in NASCAR and in sports at large: how different groups of athletes are treated based on their identities. Whether it is a black football player being criticized for taking a knee during the national anthem or a female soccer player being resigned to lower-tier leagues, there is a sense that some athletes face greater obstacles and challenges due to who they are. It is up to sports organizations and fans to acknowledge and address these disparities head-on and work towards a more equitable future for all athletes.
In the end, whether or not Wallace’s behavior at Watkins Glen was acceptable is beside the point. The real issue is the double standard that he perceives exists in the sport and the larger societal issues that fuel it. Regardless of what the future holds for Wallace and his racing career, his actions have sparked an important conversation about diversity, inclusion, and equality in NASCAR and beyond. So, it is high time that NASCAR rethinks their standards for drivers and acts upon it to ensure equal treatment for all.
