Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s only Black full-time Cup Series driver, believes the sport has made significant progress since the organization banned the Confederate flag from its events in 2020. Wallace had been one of the loudest voices calling for the flag’s removal, emphasizing that its presence at races made many fans, particularly people of color, feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. In his view, NASCAR’s decision to eliminate the symbol was not just a bold step, but a necessary one to make the sport more inclusive and forward-thinking.

The flag, long associated with racism and the oppression of Black Americans, had been a staple at many NASCAR events, particularly in the South. Wallace publicly spoke out against it, saying that if the sport wanted to grow and appeal to a wider, more diverse audience, it had to confront uncomfortable truths and let go of outdated traditions. His stance, made during the national reckoning on racial injustice in 2020, helped pressure NASCAR into instituting the ban.

Since then, Wallace has noted clear signs of improvement. He says that removing the flag helped send a message that NASCAR is open to change and is serious about becoming a sport where everyone feels like they belong. While the decision wasn’t universally accepted—some fans pushed back, and one driver even quit in protest—Wallace feels the overwhelmingly positive reaction showed the sport was heading in the right direction. For him, it wasn’t just about a flag; it was about making the racing world more welcoming for future generations.