Bubba Wallace Makes History as First Black Driver to Win Brickyard 400

American race car driver Bubba Wallace has made history by becoming the first Black driver to win a NASCAR crown jewel event, clinching a narrow victory at the prestigious Brickyard 400 on Sunday.

Wallace, 30, edged past defending champion Kyle Larson by just 0.222 seconds in a dramatic finish at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The win marks his first since 2022 and ends a 100-race winless streak, while also securing him a place in the 2024 NASCAR playoffs.

“To win here at the Brickyard, knowing how big this race is, and being able to block out all the noise, it’s just unbelievable,” Wallace said after the race. “That adrenaline rush is crazy. I’m worn out.”

Driving the No. 23 Chumba Casino Toyota for 23XI Racing, a team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR star Denny Hamlin, Wallace now joins an elite group of drivers to win one of NASCAR’s four crown jewel races. The others include the Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600, and the Southern 500.

The victory is Wallace’s third career NASCAR Cup Series win, following earlier successes at Talladega in 2021 and Kansas in 2022. His triumph at Indianapolis cements his place among NASCAR’s top drivers and represents a landmark moment for diversity in a sport long criticised for its lack of racial representation.

In a fiercely contested race, Larson finished second while Hamlin, Wallace’s team co-owner, took third. Rounding out the top five were Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski, according to CBS Sports.

Wallace’s historic win is expected to reignite conversations around inclusivity and progress within motorsport, particularly in the context of NASCAR’s evolving efforts to broaden its fan base and attract more diverse talent.

The next stop in the NASCAR Cup Series will be in Iowa on 3 August.