Account
NASCAR at Talladega 2021 Results: Bubba Wallace Earns 1st Career Cup Series Win
October 4, 2021
At a rain-soaked Talladega Superspeedway, Bubba Wallace won the YellaWood 500 on Monday.
A day after weather forced postponement until Monday, NASCAR had to call the race early because of inclement conditions. Wallace, the leader after 117 laps, was named the winner.
FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOXThe moment Bubba Wallace became a NASCAR Cup Series winner. <a href="https://twitter.com/BubbaWallace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BubbaWallace</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Jumpman23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jumpman23</a> <a href="https://t.co/I8drVmufh7">pic.twitter.com/I8drVmufh7</a>
It was a historic result and Wallace's first Cup Series victory:
Matt Weaver @MattWeaverAWNASCAR has called Talladega due to rain. <br><br>Bubba Wallace and 23XI Racing are NASCAR Cup Series winners.<br><br>Wallace is the first African American to win a Cup race since Windell Scott on December 1, 1963 and second overall.<br><br>Michael Jordan's first win as a team owner too.
"I never think about those things," an emotional Wallace said about his historical achievement after the race. "When you say it like that, it obviously brings a lot of emotion, a lot of joy to my family, fans, friends. It's pretty damn cool, so, just proud to be a winner in the Cup Series."
In June 2020, a noose was found in Wallace's stall at Talladega, leading to a NASCAR investigation and the rest of the field pushing Wallace's car to the starting line before that race in a sign of solidarity.
Wallace said Monday that it was somewhat fitting, then, that his first Cup Series win come at this track:
"All those kids out there who want to have an opportunity, whatever they want to achieve and be the best at what they do, you're gonna go through a lot of bulls--t. But you've always got to stick true to your path and not let the nonsense get to you. And stay strong, stay humble, stay hungry. There were plenty of times I wanted to give up. You surround yourself with the right people, and it's moments like this that you appreciate."
A number of prominent figures around the racing world congratulated Wallace on social media:
Jeff Gordon @JeffGordonWebCongratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/BubbaWallace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BubbaWallace</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/23XIRacing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@23XIRacing</a> on your first <a href="https://twitter.com/NASCAR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nascar</a> win today <a href="https://twitter.com/TALLADEGA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TALLADEGA</a>.
As for the rest of the field, Brad Keselowski finished second, followed by Joey Logano, Kurt Busch and Christopher Bell. Wallace's win means that only Denny Hamlin, who won last week, has clinched his spot in the Round of 8.
Four postseason contenders will be removed from championship contention next weekend at the Round of 12's finale at the Charlotte Motor Speedway (Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on NBC).
Kevin Harvick, Bell, William Byron and Alex Bowman are currently on the playoff bubble and facing elimination.