As NASCAR returns to the 2.2-mile, 12-turn Chicago Circuit for the second consecutive year, 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace hosted his second annual block party, better known as Bubba’s Block Party, to capture and elevate the festive mood of NASCAR fans across the city. Last year, the gala event was held in Richmond.
Bubba Wallace’s Block Party aims to educate fans about African-American contributions to the sport. Thanks to Bubba Wallace, Chicagoans learned more about NASCAR through interactive sessions with 23XI pit crew members. In addition, the party will also bring together several small businesses and local organizations to serve the community-based event’s approximately 4-5,000 guests. This year’s event took place on July 5th from 5-9pm at Douglas Park in Chicago, Illinois.
Bubba Wallace was thrilled with the success of the party. The Toyota driver posted on his X account: “Bubba’s Block Party was a success! Honored to play a role in welcoming newcomers to the sport through an event like this. We’ve come a long way but we’re not stopping.” Chicago pop sensation “Twista” and former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Anthony “Spice” Adams appeared as a special guest at Bubba’s Block Party. “Chicago will always have a special place in my heart,” Adams exclaimed (via FOX 32 Chicago). “They (the Chicago Bears) signed me in 2007 and I haven’t looked back! I think it’s like a pit crew getting together as a group and running a play and executing the play perfectly.”
With the celebration over, Wallace is gearing up for the 20th race of the Cup Series season, the Grant Park 165. Currently, Wallace sits 15th in the Cup standings with 448 points.
“I carry a responsibility”- Bubba Wallace reveals why the Bubba’s Block Party is important to him
Bubba Wallace is the only black driver among the current Cup Series regulars and the only representative of the African-American community in the sport. Therefore, Wallace feels it is his responsibility to carry the flag for his people in the sport. He said (via Fox32 Chicago):
I feel like I have a responsibility. I look different than my competitors. Representation is important. This has been a topic of conversation for a few years now. You can see a lot of different things and a lot of similarities and parallels that you might not even notice in yourself.” Wallace’s victory at Talladega in 2021 made him just the second Black driver to win a Cup Series race. With his win in the Truck Series in 2013, he became the first African-American driver to win a NASCAR race since Hall of Famer Wendell Scott.
