Bubba Wallace wears 'I can't breathe' shirt ahead of Atlanta NASCAR race
Bubba Wallace, the only black driver in NASCAR's Cup Series, made his voice heard Sunday in Atlanta.
Wallace wore a T-shirt reading "I can't breathe" and "Black Lives Matter" during the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 pre-race in support of ongoing protests across the United States and the world. He also complied with NASCAR's coronavirus safety protocol by donning a face mask featuring the U.S. flag.
Prior to today's @NASCAR race, @BubbaWallace wore a #BlackLivesMatter shirt with the words, "I Can't Breathe." pic.twitter.com/YFqRjCDKdg
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) June 7, 2020
After FOX shared a statement from Wallace, broadcaster Jeff Gordon followed with his own impassioned message calling for change.
"We are listening. We are learning. We are ready for change."- Jeff Gordon pic.twitter.com/640QuG2Rwa
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2020
NASCAR president Steve Phelps also delivered an address ahead of Sunday's opening lap. A 30-second moment of silence followed, along with a video published earlier Sunday featuring multiple drivers speaking out against racism.
A moment of silence and a message from NASCAR President Steve Phelps and drivers before today's race in Atlanta.pic.twitter.com/xFBogoBOxb
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 7, 2020
Wallace, NASCAR's first full-time black driver in more than a decade, spoke out in April after fellow driver Kyle Larson used a racial slur during an iRacing event.