DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bubba Wallace expressed indifference regarding Donald Trump’s potential attendance at the Daytona 500 this Sunday. This follows a tumultuous moment nearly five years ago when Trump accused the only Black full-time NASCAR driver of staging a “hoax” related to the discovery of a noose in his garage stall.
In July 2020, after the noose was found in Wallace’s assigned stall at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, Trump suggested that Wallace should apologize to those who supported him. An extensive investigation concluded that the rope had been hanging since October and was not considered a hate crime. NASCAR and the FBI consistently referred to the rope as a noose, noting it was used to operate the garage door.
Wallace, who races for 23XI Racing—co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin—remained tight-lipped about Trump potentially returning to the iconic race. Speaking at Daytona 500 media day, he emphasized, “We’re here to race, not for the show.”
On Monday, a notice from the Federal Aviation Administration indicated Trump’s expected presence at the race, although NASCAR stated that confirmation about his attendance had not been received. Over the years, Trump has remained vocal on various issues related to NASCAR and its intersection with political matters, particularly targeting Wallace in 2020 after the noose incident.
Trump’s tweet from July 2020 questioned if Wallace had shown gratitude towards those who stood by him, implying the situation was fabricated. Wallace responded on social media, promoting a message of love and positivity even in the face of hate, which he claimed was perpetuated by Trump’s comments.
Previously, Trump served as the grand marshal at the 2020 Daytona 500, where he led the drivers to start their engines and took a ceremonial lap around the 2.5-mile track in his armored limousine. His visit to the race was met with cheers from the thousands of fans in attendance, and a flyover by Air Force One was displayed on large screens at the venue.
While at the event, Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, addressed the audience and characterized the Daytona 500 as an extraordinary showcase of American skill and spirit. Remarkably, Trump made history last Sunday as the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl, watching the Philadelphia Eagles triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs alongside several prominent Republican figures.
