President Donald Trump was joined to attend this year’s Daytona 500 on February 16. If he shows up he will be there to see a driver he has a spotted story with.
Bubba Wallace, driving McDonald’s car to Michael Jordan’s Nascar -Team 23xi Racing, dealt with a public feud with Trump in 2020.
In July 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and the demand for George Floyd riots, Wallace made several posts on X, then known as Twitter, and condemned Trump to promote hatred.
Trump even attacked Wallace on social media over the driver calling for a ban on Confederate flags on running and claiming that a study of a noise found in his garage was a “hoax.” An FBI study found that the noise had been in the garage stall since October 2019 and no crime had been committed.
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Bubba Wallace, #43, carries an “I can’t breathe, Black Lives Matter” jersey before a NASCAR CUP series Auto Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway Sunday, June 7, 2020 in Hampton, Georgia. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Later that year, Wallace claimed he was told he “brought politics into Nascar” in response to his condemnation of Trump. By 2024, however, Wallace made no political positions to talk about. Wallace previously told Pakinomist Digital why.
“The investment of my time in it seems like a waste of time,” Wallace said at the time. “I was definitely more vocal then because our sport was in desperate need for change.”
Now, with Trump possibly attending Daytona 500, Wallace feels as indifferent as he did during the past year’s election. On Daytona 500 Media Day on Wednesday, Wallace said he “couldn’t care less” if Trump showed up or not.
“We’re here to run. Not for the show,” Wallace added.
The response is in line with Wallace’s recent approach to politics. Unlike in 2020, he no longer puts a political social media posts. His feed on x is now just a curated mix of racing photos, promotional posts and photos of the family.
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Bubba Wallace, Right, argues with Kyle Larson after the two crashed during a NASCAR CUP series Auto Race on Sunday, October 16, 2022 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
One of the biggest reasons why Wallace abandoned this habit of 2020 is due to cultural shifts in social media during this time. Wallace said there is overwhelming “negativity” on the platforms he would use to get any messages about his faith.
“Social media today is just a way for people to hide behind a screen and give their opinion on things they don’t really know about,” Wallace told Pakinomist Digital.
“It’s just too much negativity that it will take years and years and years to get rid of, and we don’t have time for it,” Wallace said of the current culture on social media. “Now, with being a dad and trying to be the best I can be here for my racial team and my team here, this is what I invest my energy, so that’s all you can really ask for.”
For Wallace, the effect of becoming a father has been a transformative experience for him in such a short time. Since his son was born, Wallace has two top-10 finish in the three races he has competed in. He also looks at life through a lens he did not look through before.
“You have your child at home and a full family to make sure now, so it’s crazy to review all that,” Wallace said.
Meanwhile, if Trump shows up, there will be two major sporting event for the president within a week.
Last Sunday, Trump became the first -sitting president of the United States history to attend a Super Bowl as he traveled to Superdome in New Orleans to watch the Philadelphia Eagles beat Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl Lix.
Trump served earlier as a storm lime for 2020 Daytona 500 and gave the command for drivers to start their engines. He also took a parade shot around Speedway at 2 1/2-mile in his armored limousine, which led the 40-car field before the green flag. The president’s motorcade remained on the apron in the corners instead of going to the high -banked turns.
President Donald Trump, accompanied by Ivanka Trump, speaks before signing the national security memorandum to launch the initiative “Women’s Global Development and Prosperity”. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Thousands cheered, and a band played patriotic music as the Air Force One flew over the famous track, a flyover that was at the same time shown on large screens. Trump’s presence energetic fans and caused huge headaches due to logistical problems at entry points.
Trump, with First Lady Melania Trump by her side, turned to the crowd before the race and called Daytona 500 “a legendary view of roaring engines, sky -high spirits and American skill, speed and power we’ve heard of for so many years. “
