Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Richard Petty Motorsports Announces New Driver of Famed No. 43

Richard Petty Motorsports Announces New Driver of Famed No. 43

Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. Ready to Make and Continue History in 2018


Richard Petty Motorsports Announces New Driver of Famed No. 43 #NASCAR #MENCS


In one of the organization’s most anticipated moments in its history, Richard Petty Motorsports announced today Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. as the new driver of the No. 43 made famous by team co-owner, “The King” Richard Petty. Wallace, 24, will compete full-time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and for the Sunoco Rookie of The Year beginning at the 2018 Daytona 500.

Wallace, a native of Mobile, Alabama, is already one of the sport’s most popular figures with an incredible record of success behind the wheel. A graduate of both NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity and NASCAR Next programs, Wallace has broken several barriers and records throughout his rise within the sport.

Earlier this season, Wallace made his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut as a substitute driver for the injured Aric Almirola in the No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) at Pocono (Penn.) Raceway on June 11. Wallace showed rapid improvement over the four races he participated, substantially improving his finish position every race, culminating with an 11th place finish at Kentucky Speedway on July 8.

Wallace initially rose to prominence in 2013 with a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, becoming the first African-American driver in 50 years to win a NASCAR national touring series feature since NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Wendell Scott. The next season Wallace finished third overall in the truck series point standings with four wins for Kyle Busch Motorsports.


Wallace moved up full-time to the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Roush Fenway Racing in 2015, where he earned 31 Top-10 finishes over the last three seasons before making his Cup debut in June with RPM.

“This is a dream come true to race for ‘The King’, Richard Petty Motorsports, the iconic No. 43 and for all the fans and partners that have and continue to support this team,” said Wallace. “I believe in what Richard Petty Motorsports is doing and their desire to win races. I believe this team, its partners and fans are ready to see some great things again. I’m humbled that they have chosen me to take that next step with them. I’m ready for next season to begin and to prove to people that we can compete at the level we all expect to be at.”



Veteran and winning crew chief Drew Blickensderfer will continue to lead the No. 43 team in 2018 with Wallace. Petty believes that Wallace brings the current youth movement to RPM.

“We have hired a lot of different drivers in the past, but Wallace brings a lot of youth and talent to our team,” explained Petty. “He’s proven at a young age to be able to be consistent on a weekly basis, give feedback to the team to help improve the car and race hard to get the best finish possible. He knows how to win, too. His records leading up to the top levels of NASCAR speak for themselves. We feel that Bubba can immediately come in and compete. He’s really eager to show what he can do and that he belongs in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.”

Wallace will become the first full-time African-American driver in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series since Scott. Partners for Wallace and the No. 43 team for the 2018 season will be announced at a later date.

About Richard Petty Motorsports

A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields one team in competition in the NASCAR premier series.

Darrell Wallace Jr. NASCAR
National Series Career Highlights

Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #54 ToyotaCare Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 26, 2013 in Martinsville, Virginia.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #54 ToyotaCare Toyota,
celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Camping
World Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on
October 26, 2013 in Martinsville, Virginia.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #54 Camping World Toyota, celebrates with the pole award after qualifying for pole position for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 31, 2013 in Dover, Delaware.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #54 Camping World Toyota,
celebrates with the pole award after qualifying for pole position
for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 200 at Dover
International Speedway on May 31, 2013 in Dover, Delaware.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the Toyota Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Drivin' For Linemen 200 at Gateway Motorsports Park on June 14, 2014 in Madison, Illinois.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the Toyota Toyota, celebrates
in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Drivin' For Linemen 200 at Gateway Motorsports Park on
June 14, 2014 in Madison, Illinois.
Darrell Wallace Jr. celebrates with Eldora Speedway owner Tony Stewart.
Darrell Wallace Jr. celebrates with Eldora Speedway owner Tony Stewart.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #54 ToyotaCare Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 14, 2014 in Homestead, Florida.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #54 ToyotaCare Toyota, takes the checkered
flag to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Ford EcoBoost 200 at
Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 14, 2014 in Homestead, Florida.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #6 Ford EcoBoost Ford, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award after qualifying for the pole for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Buckle Up 200 presented by Click It or Ticket at Dover International Speedway on May 30, 2015 in Dover, Delaware.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #6 Ford EcoBoost Ford, poses with the
Coors Light Pole Award after qualifying for the pole for the NASCAR
XFINITY Series Buckle Up 200 presented by Click It or Ticket
at Dover International Speedway on May 30, 2015 in Dover, Delaware.
(Back Row L) Darrell Wallace Jr, driver of the #6 TMNT Shredder Ford pose with the NASCAR XFINITY Series trophy after the NASCAR XFINITY Series Drive for Safety 300 at Chicagoland Speedway on September 17, 2016 in Joliet, Illinois.
(Back Row L) Darrell Wallace Jr, driver of the #6 TMNT Shredder
Ford pose with the NASCAR XFINITY Series trophy after the NASCAR
XFINITY Series Drive for Safety 300 at Chicagoland Speedway
on September 17, 2016 in Joliet, Illinois.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Axalta presents the Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 11, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, leads a pack
of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Axalta presents the
Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 11, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. 
 
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, stands on the grid prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Axalta presents the Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 11, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. This marks Wallace's Monster Energy NACSAR Sprint Cup Series debut.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, stands on the grid prior
to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Axalta presents the Pocono 400 at
Pocono Raceway on June 11, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. This marks
Wallace's Monster Energy NACSAR Sprint Cup Series debut.
NASCAR Hall of Famer and team owner Richard Petty speaks with Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Axalta presents the Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 9, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.
NASCAR Hall of Famer and team owner Richard Petty speaks with Darrell
Wallace Jr., driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, in the garage area during practice
for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Axalta presents the Pocono 400 at
Pocono Raceway on June 9, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.
NASCAR Hall of Famer and team owner Richard Petty speaks with Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #43 Smithfield Ford, in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Axalta presents the Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 9, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #99 Maestro's Classic Chevrolet, celebrates in
Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR CWTS LTi Printing 200
Michigan International Speedway August 12, 2017 in Brooklyn, Michigan.

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