DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 17: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 McDonald’s Toyota, waits in … [+]
A great deal has happened in the 31 years Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. has been on the planet. He’s risen from obscurity in Mobile, Alabama, through the rough-and-tumble world of motorsports to become a star at the pinnacle of American motorsports: the NASCAR Cup Series. Along the way, he not only broke down barriers but crushed them like he was driving a Mack truck over a cardboard box.
He now rubs elbows with celebrities and counts among his inner circle sports legend Michael Jordan, who also happens to be one of the people who signs his paycheck. He’s been the subject of docuseries, voiced a character in a Cars movie, and has become a brand ambassador for some of America’s biggest companies.
And while much has changed in his life, nothing could compare to the change that happened to the driver simply known as Bubba on September 29 of this year. It was on that Sunday, while he was racing in Kansas, that his wife Amanda gave birth to a son, Becks Hayden.
Those of us who have become parents know quite well how a child will change your life. Before it comes about, though, we are told so by many, but we never really understand it. That is, until it happens, and we begin to grasp how a child transforms everything, in ways both big and small. Bubba is learning that firsthand with his new son, whom he affectionately calls “little man.”
“We got to wait on little man hand and foot,” Bubba said. “He wants to feed every two to three hours sometimes. Cluster feed for five hours.”
He’s also learning that just weeks ago, what would have been a routine day, or a simple outing now feels like a carefully planned tactical operation.
“We went to brunch the other day, and my man’s passed out for the last hour and a half sitting there,” he said. “We’re having a nice talk at the table, and as soon as the food comes, he is wide awake, screaming, wanting to feed, and it’s like ‘ooh man, sorry mama, you got to wait to eat now. He’s got to eat.’”
It’s an adjustment he’s learning to make.
“It takes a little bit more time, I say add on 15 minutes to what you previously would do—you’re going to be 15 minutes late,” he said. “You know, that’s OK. You got a pretty damn good excuse.
“But it’s all been great, it’s all been fun. He’s healthy, mama’s healthy, so it’s good.”
In the bigger picture, however, little man has changed Bubba’s perspective, something he never thought imaginable.
“You know, racing comes second now,” he said. “I don’t say that easily. For the last… 22 years, it’s been all racing. Marriage came, that was a great head-to-head there of, you know, showing up to be the best husband you can be and provide for your family then. Well, now you got a little one here.”
And in fact, that little one has changed his entire thought process.
“I climbed out of the car after a great weekend at the ROVAL,” he said, referring to a race where he finished 9th. “As soon as I got back to the bus, none of that mattered anymore. He was, I think he was either awake or he just laid down or something, I don’t know. But that’s all that matters. I asked my wife, ‘how was he?’ How was she? And nothing else mattered at that point. And I thought that was refreshing.”
One thing that hasn’t changed is his commitment to his 23XI Racing team.
“Tyler and I have all these employees relying on us and putting their trust into us,” he said. “You feel an obligation as soon as you strap in. And then you have to balance out the mindset of, hey, I need to provide for my family at the same time I’m being relied on by a lot of people to go out here and give it my all.
“And so for me, the idea of competing and the process of competing has not changed a bit. I still love to compete, no matter what it is. And I don’t think that that flame will burn out anytime soon.”
Something else that hasn’t changed are his sponsor commitments. And while those can sometimes be as satisfying as a soggy cardboard box of fish fingers, an upcoming commitment seems to be coming at just the right moment in his life.
His longtime sponsor McDonald’s, and its Ronald McDonald House Charities, are celebrating their 50-year partnership this year. Through its network of chapters in 62 countries, the charity supports programs that improve the health and well-being of children. The best known of these programs are the Ronald McDonald Houses—380 in 64 countries, a home away from home that gives families a place to stay nearby when their children are being treated at hospitals and medical facilities.
Wallace won’t be trying to sell cheeseburgers; instead, it’s all about an awareness campaign, showing how McDonald’s customers can round up their next purchase to the nearest whole dollar, with 100% of the extra going to Ronald McDonald House Charities.
And while he’s done all manner of things to promote the brand throughout the years, like working drive-thrus, this initiative is a worthy cause, made even more impactful now that Wallace is a new father.
“Yeah. Nothing more powerful than giving back,” he said. “As soon as you realize that doing something that is much bigger than yourself is super important… unfortunately a lot of people don’t get to go through that, and they miss out on that perspective of life.”
The awareness campaign will be spotlighted during the upcoming race weekend in Miami. It’s where Wallace’s racecar will sport a paint scheme with elements designed by some of the families served by the Ronald McDonald Houses in South Florida. And his car will carry the name of a Ronald McDonald House family from his home state of Alabama. That same family will also be present during the race weekend.
In Miami Wallace’s racecar will sport a paint scheme with elements designed by some of the families … [+]
“I think doing this, giving some families the opportunity to feel a part of something other than being stressed out with their children’s healthcare,” he said. “It’s like, hey, we get to go be a part of a race and a team and watch your car that you designed or whatever it may be that you touched, and you had inspiration on go out and compete. Hopefully our car wins. Obviously, that would be great.”
The campaign won’t just be limited to the 23XI Racing team, however. Many of the rest of the competitors that weekend will also take part in spreading the word.
“It’s just a lot of good things piling on top of each other to make for a really impactful weekend,” Wallace said. “I think 75% of the sport is involved, which I think is great for our first year of trying this out and seeing how it would go. It’s really cool.”
Bubba Wallace is now a guy who’s blazing new trails while juggling sleepless nights, diaper changes, and the relentless demands of NASCAR. He’s evolved from a driver with a chip on his shoulder to a man with a whole new purpose. Sure, the road has twists and turns, but if there’s one thing Bubba knows, it’s how to drive fast and adapt, keeping his eyes on the finish line and his heart with his family. And proving you can be a winner on and off the track.
“I’m just excited to continue to show up to the racetrack,” he said. “I think the days leading up to it are definitely different. You know, I have a lot obviously a lot going on with little man. So it changes how much you’re involved, but it doesn’t change how much you show up and give the 110% effort. Each and every weekend.”
