The 24 year old driver is set to make history competing as an African American in NASCAR.

NASCAR driver Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. is set to make history competing full-time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series as an African American. He is set to start as a rookie in the 60th running of the Daytona 500, the first race of the 2018 season. He will be driving the iconic No. 43 car made famous by NASCAR legend Richard Petty. “King” Richard if you are not familiar with NASCAR racing, is what Michael Jordan is to basketball. The G.O.A.T Expectations are high for Wallace and driving for the Petty race team gives him some big shoes to fill.

The first African-American to officially compete in a NASCAR racing circuit was Wendell Scott. Mr. Scott began his career in 1953, and won his first premium level race in 1963. He broke through a lot of segregation and racial barriers that many blacks faced during that time on many levels. Bubba Wallace is set to change the face of NASCAR that will hopefully shutdown its many critics. The sport has been widely criticized as not being very diverse. Check out Bubba Wallace in the Daytona 500 on February 18 at 3:00 pm EST.